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CIHM/ICMH 

Microfiche 

Series. 


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microfiches. 


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LIFE  ON  THE  OCEAN, 


OR 


TWENTY  YEARS  AT  SEA; 


BEING  THE  PERSONAL  ADVENTURES  OF  THE  AUTHOR. 


BY    GEORGE    LITTLE, 

-  f 

For  many  jr«8n  Captain  in  the  Merchant  Service  ont  of  the  PottofBaltimon, 
but  now  entirely  blind. 


1^.  •- 


?(«■ 


■a 

< 


BALTIMORE 


ARUlSTRONO    &    BERRY. 


1843. 


'h^n' 


vT* 


*'■■ 


-<0M 


Entered  a^xotding  to  the  Act  of  Cong:Te«B,  in  the  year  1843,  by 

GuiOB  LiTTLI, 

in  the  ClerkV  office  of  the  District  Court  of  Maryland. 


WOODS    &    CRAITB,    P  R  T  M  T  E  B  S  . 


''X  tit 


'^0 

7 


J 


1843,  by 
land. 


PREFACE. 


The  author  of  the  following  narrative  has  been  in- 
duced to  submit  it  to  the  public,  at  the  instance  and 
solicitation  of  numerous  friends,  who  with  a  full  know- 
ledge of  his  past  life  and  of  his  present  condition  and 
circumstances,  have  united  in  the  opinion,  that  what- 
ever of  advantage  or  disadvantage  might  accrue  to  the 
author,  its  publication  Avould  be  of  essential  service  in 
removing  many  erroneous  and  unfovourable  impressions, 
which  prevail  in  relation  to  the  character  and  habits  of 
seamen. 

The  author  is  a  sailor,  the  prime  of  whose  life  has  been 
spent  amid  the  strife  of  the  elements,  and  not  amid  the 
endearments  of  the  domestic  circle.  His  past  associa- 
tioris  are  of  a  character  widely  different  from  those 
which  distinguish  the  literary  taste  and  refinements  of 
the  feshionable  saloons  of  the  present  day ;  and  when 
he  states  that  he  is  now  and  has  been  for  years  past 
entirely  blind— ihns  disabled  firom  pursuing  his  profes- 
sion— that  in  consequence  of  this  affliction  and  even 
with  the  aid  of  an  amanuensis,  many  difficulties  must 
obviously  have  interposed  in  the  prosecution  and  com- 
pletion of  the  manuscript,  he  appeals  with  confidence 
to  the  discernment  of  the  public,  and  feels  assured  that 
any  feults  in  elegance  of  composition  or  otherwise^ 
which'  his  peculiar  situatjpn  may  have  rendered  un- 
avoidable, will  be  overlooked. 

The  "twenty  years  at  sea,"  the  narrative  of  which 
so  rair  as  it  is  connected  with  his  own  I'fe,  he  now  lays 
before  the  reader,  will  ever  be  a  memorable  epoch  in 
the  world's  history.  Europe  was  subjected  to  successive 


■yjn^tuaisini, 


.^igl 


iv 


PREFACE. 


and  continued  revolutions.    The  nations  of  the  con- 
tinent were  engaged  in  a  deadly  struggle  for  political 
existence,  and  while  the  two  rival  powers,  France  and 
England,  were  each  putting  forth  their  mightiest  efforts 
to  secure  the  controlling  influence,  our  own   infant 
Republic,  acting  under  the  wise  policy  originally  sanc- 
tioned and  pursued  by  Washington,  was  reaping  a  rich 
and  abundant  harvest  in  supplying  the  necessities  of 
the    belligerents,  thus  developing  her  boundless  re- 
sources, adding  to  her  physical  strength,  and  laying  the 
foundation  of  that  naval  prowess  which  shone  so  con- 
spicuously in  her  subsequent  conflict  with  Great  Britain. 
In  many  of  the  exciting  incidents  growing  out  of 
these  events,  the  author  was  an  actor,  and  a  participator 
too  in  the  exposures  and  sufferings  which  war  inevitably 
occasions.     He,  therefore,  flatters  himself  that  the  in- 
terest which  may  be  awakened  in  the  perusal  of  his 
book,  and  the  full  and  correct  view  given  of  nautical 
life,  will  more  than  overbalance  whatever  errors  in 
composition  he  may  have  inadvertently  committed. 

The  reader  will  perceive,  that  in  the  narrative  itself, 
as  wall  as  in  the  dialogues  introduced,  the  author  has 
preserved  the  maritime  technicalities  and  rough  mode 
of  expression  peculiar  to  sailors  ;  his  chief  object  in  fact, 
has  been  to  exhibit  a  true  picture  of  "life  on  the  ocean," 
blending  with  it  those  wholesome,  moral  and  religious 
truths,  which  should  be  inculcated  upon  the  minds  of 
seamen.    That  it  may  more  forcibly  serve  as  a  mirror 
for  his  brother  tars,  wherein  thev  may  view  their  defects 
as  well  as  their  excellences ;  tJiat  a  fresh  impulse  may 
be  given  to  the  efforts  of  the  'jhristian  community  in 
behalf  of  the  spiritual  wants  of  those  who  "go  down  to 
the  sea  in  ships  ;"  and  that  it  may  prove  a  source  of 
recreation  and  (he  humbly  trusts)  of  instruction  to  all 
who  may  honour  him  by  olassing  themselves  among 
his  readers,  is  the  sincere  desire  of  the  author. 


Ej 
Bi: 

Gc 


Co 


Mo 


Obj 


Tra 


-Ml^£ 


)f  the  con- 
for  political 
France  and 
itiest  efforts 
)wn   infant 
nally  sane- 
pin^  a  rich 
cessities  of 
indless  re- 
laying the 
ne  so  con- 
eat  Dritain. 
ing  out  of 
participator 
•  inevitably 
lat  the  in- 
usal  of  his 
jf  nautical 
errors  in 
litted. 
itive  itself, 
author  has 
ugh  mode 
ect  in  fact, 
fie  ocean," 
I  religious 
3  minds  of 
IS  a  mirror 
eir  defects 
pulse  may 
nunity  in 
>  down  to 
source  of 
ion  to  all 
es  among 


CONTENTS. 


PMI. 

Preface,            3 

Explanation  of  sea  phrases, 9 

CHAPTER    I. 

Birth  and  parentage— Early  desire  for  the  life  of  a  sailor,  21 

CHAFrER    II. 

Going  on  board — Description  of  ship  and  character  of  the  offi-  • 

cers — Observations  upon  the  green-hands— Getting  under 
way— First  night  at  sea— Gale,  &,c 29 

CHAPTER   III. 

Continuance  of  the  gale — Superstition  of  sailors — sunrise  at 
sea— crossing  the  line,  &c. 37 

CHAPTER    IV! 

^oonrise  at  sea — Heavy  squalls — Rounding  Cape  Horn 

Excursion  in  search  of  water,  &c.  &c.    .        .-      .        .44 

CHAPTER   V. 

Object  of  the  voyage  explained  to  the  crew— Commencement 
of  traffic  on  the  coast  of  Chili-^Bay  of  Coquiubo,  &c.  &«.     54 

CHAPTER   VI. 

Traffic  on  the  coast  continued— Treachery  of  the  Spaniards- 
Sail  for  the  Gallipagos  Islands—Description  of  them,      .    65 


'      '''^t 


'% 


'   ■^.   TIIK^-'SWpjW^rtii,,- 


•ii"'"'lifiri1ffBiiiiiii 


'"■':>■■  "'/■tfe,*'?' 


H 


VI 


CONTENTS. 


CHAPTER   VII. 
Information  of  the  capture  of  a  Boston  ship  by  a  Spanish 
cruiser— An  attempted  capture  of  our  boats  defeated— 
Port  of  Isley— News  of  a  Spanish  cruiser— Description  of 
a  hurricane — Severe  engagement,        ....        70 

CHAPTER    VIII. 
Sail  for  Cocoa  Island— Conversation  with  Jack  Sawyer— Des- 
cription of  Chatham  Island— Melancholy  death  and  funeral 
of  one  of  the  seamen, gy 

CHAPTER    IX. 
Exciting  chase  and  escape— Superstition  of  seamen— Fall  of 
the  author  from  the  foretop  and  loss  of  a  man  overboard— 
Sail  for  Shelvack's  Island, 99 

CHAPTER    X. 
Sail  for  the  Gulf  of  California— Friendly  reception  and  agree- 
able intercourse  with  the  Spaniards  at  Guimas,       .        .  109 

•  CHAPTER    XI. 

Jack  Sawyer's  narrative  commenced— Arrival  at  the  Sandwich 
Islands — Description  of  Owyhee,  Stc 123 

CHAPTER   XII. 

Jack  Sawyer  resumes  his  narrative— Passage  to  Canton,        .  139 

CHAPTER    XIII. 

Sail  from  Canton   homeward  bound — Passage  through  the 
China  sea,  &c |g| 

CHAPTER  XIV. 

English  East  India  fleet— The  chase— Jack  Sawyer's  narrative, 
"^"•"ned 157 

CHAPTER    XV. 
Saturday  night  at  sea— Conclusion  of  Jack  Sawyer's  narrative 

*•"= .170 

CHAPTER   XVI. 
/  Meeting  with  friends  at  home— Last  interview  with  Jack 

Sawyer— Sail  in  the  ship  Baltic  for  Rio  Janeiro,      .        .  182 


Ui 


B< 


Lc 


Ca 


Re 


Lo 


Pai 


Re 


Coi 


f0VmV9fU 


ft  Spanish 
lefeated — 
:riptioD  of 


76 


|rer — Des- 
nd  funeral 


.    87 


1— Fall  of 
erboard — 


ind  agree- 


99 


.  109 

Sandwich 

.    123 

>ton,        .  139 

rough  the 

.    151 

narrative, 

.  157 

I  narrative 
.       .    170 

vith  Jack 
,     .        .182 


CONTENTS.  yii 

CHAPTER   XVII. 
Unfortunate  circumstances  induciqg  a  return  to  the  United 
States— Arrival— Warlike  preparations— Prospects  of  re- 
maining on  shore  broken  up— Entered  on  board  a  priva- 
teer— Sailed  on  a  cruise, I94 

CHAPTER   XVIII. 

Boarding  in  the  night— Capture— Taken  prisoner  by  Can- 
nibals—Horrible treatment— Release  by  ransom— Sail 
for  Carthagena, 200 

CHAPTER    XIX. 

Leave  the  privateer  and  sail  for  the  United  States— Enter  on 
board  a  letter  of  marque— Captured  by  the  English- 
Recaptured  by  the  Paul  Jones  privateer— Enter  as  prize- 
master— Her  officers  and  crew, JIO 

CHAPTER   XX. 

Capture  of  prizes— Chase— Termination  of  cruise,  &c.  .        .221 

CHAPTER   XXI. 

Removal  to  Dartmoor— Description  of  it— Plan  to  effect  an 
escape, 031 

CHAPTER  XXII. 

Loss  of  prize  money— Voyage  to  London— Narrow  escape 
from  shipwreck,  &c.  &c 345 

CHAPTER   XXIII. 

Passage  from  London  to  Baltjmore— Voyage  to  Oporto  and 
St.  Ubes — Disaster  on  Oporto  bar,  &,c.  .        .        .        .  .  264 

CHAPTER   XXIV. 

Return  to  the  United  States— Voyage  to  the  West  Indies- 
Supernatural  appearances  on  board,        ....  263 

CHAPTER   XXV. 

Conclusion  of  the  West  India  voyage— Sail  for  London, 
Batavia.  &c-         , 373 


Vk^. 


i'l 


.'5jta«e.T., 


r 


,911 


'  ( 


▼Ul  CONTENTi. 

CHAPTER   XXVI. 
Arrival  at  Bntavia — Rnturn  voyage — Sickness  of  crew — Put 
in  at  Cape  of  Qood  Hope— Profligacy  of  seamen  on 
•hore,  fifcc 282 

CHAPTER   XXVI. 

Marriage— Takrs  comniaud  of  the  ship  William — Voyage  to 
Lisbon — Heavy  gales, 201 

CHAPTER   XXVII. 
Voyage  to  Batavia — Burial  at  sea,  .        .        .        .        .801 

CHAPTER   XXVIII. 
India  voyage  concluded — Voyrige  to  New  Orleans  and  Liver- 
pool—Conduct  of  Captain  B.  &c.  8cc 313 

CHAPTER   XXIX. 

Voyage  to  the  Pacific — Dangerous  lee  shore — And  providential 
escape, 323 

CHAPTER   XXX. 

Continuation  of  voyage— Arrival  at  Callao— Visit  to  Lima, 
&c.  8ic 331 

CHAPTER   XXXI. 

Religious  impressions  and  happy  results— Sail  for  Havana 
and  southorn  ports- Rencontre  with  pirates  on  board — 
Their  capture  and  delivery  to  the  authoriiies  of  New 
Orleans, 342 

CHAPTER   XXXII. 
Piratical  chase  and  narrow  escape — Religious  scene  at  sea, 
&c 854 

CHAPTER  XXXIII. 
Reflections  on  the  character  and  condition  of  seamen,    .        .  869 

CHAPTER  XXXIV. 
Suggestions  in  regard  to  the  moral  improvement  of  wamen,    385 

CHAPTER  XXXV. 
Conclusion.         . .    393 


.41 

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An 
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:rew--Put 
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.  282 

Voyage  to 
.       .    391 

.       .801 

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oridential 


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.    331 

Havana 
1  board — 
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.       .842 


le  at  sea, 

.    854 

,    .       .866 

leamen,    885 


iR\ 


NAUTICAL    VOCABULARY. 


•^*"!!rr^'*r^'°"  ,°u'*'*'  ."*''■  ''*»«"»  *«»'  surfaces  are  forced  aft 
by  the  force  of  the  wind. 

•f^'J?  f  -fy*— The  stemtnost  part  of  the  ship. 

^u     u'    '"l~P*"''!?'  ">*  '^'^'''^e  situation  of  any  object  from 
..    «l»e  ship  which  inchnes  towards  the  stern. 
Aboard. — The  inside  of  the  ship. 

'^'''^e  dS'eM'tl?""^"  *"'"'        °°™'"  °^  ****  mainsail  down  to 

***^«Io''^'''"°*'°°  °^^^^  "**'''  ^^"^  "•**  "  ^^''^^'^'  °'  «=•»■«»««• 

^dri^ —The  state  of  a  ship  broken  from  her  moorinffs,  a  drivinff 

about  Without  control.  ^        «"»unj 

.j^oM  — All  that  part  of  the  ship  which  lies  forward  near  the  stem. 

«r^"'^  u*""^  *'""  '■  '"."'"«*'  ""i  ^'»"t  part  of  the  compass  to 
which  a  ship's  stem  is  directed.  '^ 

*2'f     •"^T**''  s''""'»on  of  *  s'lip  when  all  her  sails  are  furled  at  sea 

lite":;      •  "'^''''ir  "'"  •''^  •le''"  when  put  down  to  the  lee  side.     ' 

« '{«  «md     The  state  of  a  ship's  sails  when  they  are  paraUel 

„   to  the  direction  of  the  wind  so  as  to  shiver.  *—»"«» 

m  hmd,,  a-hmf.-A  call  by  which  all  the  ship's  company  are 

summoned  on  deck.  "^     vumpauy  are 

^Y>iueau>re.—A  course  parallel  to  the  ship's  side. 

•^•^°J^*»«*«»^— When  the  cable  has  got  about  the  fluke  of  the 

JhSZ  2ff  TK '?  ^T^^  "'"'*'  i^*  hawse-hole  of  the  ship. 
Anchor  eoe*  Wi.-That  is  hangs  up  and  down  the  ship's  side. 
An  end. — Mast  up  and  down. 
1l£!I:r^°'^  distance  behind  a  ship  as  opposed  to  her  head. 

*'**Te  sIdS  Vt£  othllf  "  *"  •  *"«'''°"  '''~"  ♦»'•  •''*P'  f""" 
•Awrt — A  term  used  for  stop  or  stay. 

2 


"■■"^ifc. 


■pHMi 


NAUTICAL   VOCABULARY. 

Jluming. — A  shelter  or  screen  of  canvas  to  keep  oflF  the  heat  of 

the  sun. 
Back  the  anchor. — To  carry  out  a  small  anchor  ahead  of  the  large 

one  in  order  to  support  it  in  bad  ground. 
Back  the  saih. — ^To  arrange  them  in  a  situation  which  will  occa- 
sion the  ship  to  more  astern. 
Bare  poles. — When  a  ship  has  no  sail  set  she  is  under  bare  poles. 
Batting. — A  thin  piece  of  wood  to  prevent  the  rigging  from  cha- 
fing. 
Bear-a-hand. — ^To  make  haste  or  despatch. 
Bearing. — Signifies  the  point  of  the  compass  where  two  or  more 

places  or  ships,  bear  from  each  other. 
Bear  off. — To  thrust  or  keep  from  the  ship's  side. 
Bear  away. — To  keep  a  ship  off  from  the  wind. 
Beating  *o  windveard. — Is  making  progress  against  the  wind  by 

tacking  alternately. 
Becalmed. — To  be  without  wind. 
Before  the  beam. — Any  objeci  from  the  ship  inclining  towards  the 

stem,  is  said  to  be  before  the  beam. 
JBeto/. — ^"fo  make  fast  any  rope. 

Bmd. — To  apply  to  or  fasten,  that  is  to  fasten  the  sails  to  the  yard. 
Betieeen  decK».-— Space  contained  between  the  two  decks. 
Bight  of  a  rope. — Double  part  of  a  rope  when  it  is  folded. 
Buged. — ^To  break,  the  ship  is  bilged  when  her  plank  are  broken. 
Binnacle. — A  kind  of  box  to  contain  the  compass. 
Berth. — A  place  ;  a  ship's  berth,  a  place  where  she  is  moored ; 

an  officer's  berth,  a  place  or  station  in  the  ship. 
Bttta. — A  large  piece  of  timl)er  to  which  the  cable  is  fastened  when 

the  ship  is  at  an  anchor. 
Board. — To  board  a  ship  in  a  hostile,  or  friendly  manner,  to  make 

a  board,  is  when  a  ship  is  making  a  stretch  on  any  tack  upon 

a  wind. 
Boatswain. — The  officer  who  has  charge  of  the  cordage,  rigging 

anchor,  8tc. 
Both  sheets  aft. — ^The  situation  of  a  ship  sailing  right  before  the 

wind. 
Bowlines. — Lines  made  fast  to  the  sides  of  the  sails,  to  haul  them 

forward  when  upon  a  wind. 
Bowse. — ^To  pull  upon  any  tackle  or  rope. 
Bowsprit. — A  large  mast  or  piece  of  timber  which  stands  out  from 

the  bows  of  the  ship. 
Box-hmding.—A  particular  method  of  veering  a  ship,  when  the 

swell  of  the  sea  renders  tacking  impracticable. 
Braces. — The  ropes  by  which  the  yards  are  turned  about,  to  ac- 
commodate the  sails  to  the  wind. 
Breast  fast. — A  rope  employed  to  confine  a  ship  to  a  wharf  &c.. 
To  broach-to. — ^To  incline  suddenly   to  windward  of  the  ship's 

course,  so  as  to  present  her  side  to  the  wind,  and  endanger 

her  oversetting. 


I  off  the  heat  of 
lead  of  the  large 
'hich  will  occa- 

ader  bare  poks. 
^ing  from  cha- 
re two  or  more 

ist  the  wind  by 

ing  towards  the 

sails  to  the  yard. 
I  decks. 
9  folded, 
ink  are  broken. 

she  is  moored; 

s  fastened  when 

anner,  to  make 
I  any  tack  upon 

;ordage,  rigging 

ight  before  the 

,  to  haul  them 

stands  out  from 

ihip,  when  the 

ed  about,  to  ac- 

a  wharf  &,c. 

of  the  ship's 
,  and  endanger 


NAUTICAL  VOCABULARY.  11 

Broadside. — A  discharge  of  all  the  guns  on  one  side  of  a  ship,  both 

above  and  below. 
By  the  wind. — The  course  of  a  ship  as  near  as  possible  to  the 

direction  of  the  wind. 
Bunilines, — Ropes  fastened  to  the  foot-rope  of  square  sails,  to 

draw  them  np  to  the  middle  of  the  yards  for  furling. 
Bitoy. — A  conical  cask  attached  to  the  anchor  to  show  where  it 

lies. 
Cap. — A   strong,   thick  block  of  wood,  baring  two  large  holes 

through  it,  the  one  square,  the  other  round,  used  to  confine 

the  two  masts  together. 
Capitan. — Is  an  instrument  used  where  a  great  purchase  is  re- 
quired. 
Careen. — ^To  incline  a  ship  low  down  on  one  side  to  cleanse  the 

bottom. 
Camf  away. — To  break  a  mast,  yard,  or  rope. 
Caitins.—To  incline  the  head  of  a  ship  either  to  the  right  hand  or 

Cat-heads. — ^The  timber  on  a  ship's  bows,  with  sheaves  to  hoist 
the  anchor  from  the  surface  of  the  water. 

Cat  the  anchor.— Ib  to  hook  the  dt-block,  to  the  ring  of  the  anchor, 
and  haul  it  up  close  to  the  cat-head. 

CaVt-paw. — A  light  air  of  wind  seen  on  the  surface  of  the  water 
during  a  calm. 

Chains.— k  place  built  out  on  the  sides  of  a  ship  by  which  the 
rigging  has  greater  power  to  secure  the  masts. 

ClieerUy.—A  phrase  implying  heartily,  quickly,  cheerfully. 

Claw  off. — ^To  turn  to  windward  from  a  lee-shore  to  escape  ship- 
wreck 

Celine*. — Are  ropes  which  come  down  from  the  yards  to  the 
lower  corners  of  the  sails,  and  by  which  the  comers  or  clews 
of  the  sails  are  hauled  up. 

Cltw  ^the  iaib. — Lower  corners  of  the  squaresails,  and  aftermost 
of  the  fore  and  aft  sails. 

Cltw  tip.— To  haul  up  the  clews  of  a  sail  to  its  yard  by  means  of 
the  clewlines,  &c. 

Clmehed. — Made  fast  as  the  cable  is  to  the  ring  of  the  anchor. 

Close  haided. — ^Thattrim  of  the  ship's  sails  when  she  endeavouis 
to  make  a  progress  in  the  nearest  direction  possible  towaids 
that  point  of  the  compass  from  which  the  wind  blows. 

Coasting. — The  act  of  making  a  progress  along  the  sea-coast  of 
any  country. 

Coil. — ^To  lay  a  rope  or  cable  round  in  a  ring  one  turn  over 
anothei-. 

Coming  to^-^Denotes  the  approach  of  a  ship's  head  to  the  direc- 
tion of  the  wind. 

Coune.— The  point  of  the  compass  upon  which  the  ship  sails. 


BiVM 


12 


NACnOAL  VOOARULART. 


CodttuNiiA.— The  person  who  steers  the  boat. 

Orwi*  Mp.—  That  is  when  sUe  has  not  sufficient  cargo  or  ballast 

to  render  her  capable  of  bearing  saU. 
Cun-o-iiWp.— Is  to  direct  the  man  at  helm  how  to  steer, 
Lut  ond  run.— To  cut  the  cable,  and  make  sail  instantly.   Trithout 

waiunff  to  weigh  anchor.  ' 

■S?^ ". ffv'' "/'y-To  impede  her  progress  through  the  water. 
Dead  hghti.—A  kmd  of  window  shutter  for  the  windows  in  the 

stem  of  a  ship,  used  in  bad  weather  only. 
Dunuuted.— The  state  of  a  ship  that  has  lost  her  masts. 
noK-Vttne.—A  small  vane  made  of  feathers  and  corks  to  show  the 

direction  of  the  wind. 
Dog-Wfl/cA— The  watches  from  four  to  six,  and  from  six  to  eiirht. 

in  the  evenmg.  *    * 

I>OttAKi»g.— The  act  of  sailing  round,  or  passing  beyond  a  cape  or 

point  ot  land.  =      <  r 

Dowie.— To  lower  suddenly  or  slacken, 
£tei«»-Aajd,---The  rope  by  which  any  sail  is  hauled  down, 
ib  droM,— When  a  sail  is  inflated  by  the  wind  so  as  to  advance 

the  vessel  on  her  course.  « 

Dr^.—U  when  a  ship  drives  with  her  side  to  the  wind  and 

waves,  and  is  not  governed  by  the  power  of  the  helm, 
i^wmage.— A  quantity  3f  loose  wood  laid  at  the  bottom  of  a  ship. 

ic  keep  the  goods  from  being  damaged, 
Piinnage,— Is  a  w&ij  used  by  seamen  instead  of  clothing. 

iS?e"~S°     ^°^^  ^^^^  *°  ^'*^*^°  *®  "^^'  comers  of  sails  to 
JSrue.— To  slacken  gradually. 
£«%e-a-Maj,._To  keep  a  ship  off  from  the  point  of  the  compass 

whence  she  had  been  steering. 
End-on.— When  a  ship  drives  to  a  shore,  rock,  &c,  without  an 

apparent  possibility  of  preventing  her. 
Even  fceel.— When  a  ship  is  paraUel  with  the  horizon,  a  ship  is 

said  to  be  upon  an  even  keel. 
Fair  woy.— The  channel  of  a  narrow  bay,  river,  or  haven  in  which 

ships  usually  advance  in  their  passage  up  and  down. 
JfaUaboard-rf.— To  sUike  or  encounter  another  ship  when  one  or 

both  are  in  motion. 
F«»«tng  ^.—Denotes  the  motion  of  the  ship's  head  from  the 

direction  ol  the  wind, 
Fiahotn. — A  measure  of  six  feet. 
I^Vd,- A  square  bar  of  wood  or  iron,  with  shoulders  at  one  end,  to 

support  the  weight  of  the  topmast,  when  adjusted  to  its  place 

at  the  head  of  a  lower  mast. 
FiOrawm.—To  brace  the  sails  so  as  to  receive  the  wind  in  them, 

and  advance  the  ship  in  her  course,  after  they  have  been 

either  shivermg  or  braced  aback. 


€ 
C 

I 
I 
I 


»go  or  ballast 

eer. 

andy,  without 

igh  the  water, 
indowa  in  the 

its. 

3  to  show  the 

a  six  to  eight, 

ond  a  cape  or 

lown. 

as  to  advance 

he  wind  and 

helm. 

torn  of  a  ship, 

hing. 

leis  of  sails  to 


'  the  compass 

E.  without  an 

zon,  a  ship  is 

tren  in  which 

own. 

I  when  one  or 

ad  from  the 


It  one  end,  to 
id  to  its  place 

rind  in  them, 
iy  hare  been 


-■""tr 


•  '*«*-'- 5-Ti'- 


NAUTICAL  VOCABULART.  l3 

FUhrhook^—A  large  hook,  by  which  the  anchor  is  received  and 

brought  to  the  cat-head. 
Flat-afl. — ^The  situation  of  the  sails  when  their  surfaces  are  press- 
ed aft  against  the  inast  by  the  force  of  the  wind. 
Flaw.— 'A  sudden  breeze  or  guat  of  wind, 
flowing  Aut. — Is  when  the  sheets  are  slackened,  after  a  ship  has 

been  sailing  upon  a  wind,  or  what  is  usually  termed  a  fair 

wind  or  flowing  sheet. 
Pare-reaeh. — To  sboot  ahead  or  go  past  another  vessel. 
Forward — Towards  the  fore  part  of  a  ship. 
FotU. — Is  used  in  opposition  both  to  clear  and  fair. 
Founder. — ^To  sink  at  sea  by  fiUing  with  water. 
Free.— Pumping  is  said  to  free  the  ship  when  it  discharges  moie 

water  than  leaks  into  her. 
FrtAen. — When  a  gale  increases  it  is  said  to  freshen. 
i^Veah  wtm. — When  a  ship  increases  her  velocity,  she  is  said  to 

get  tresh  way. 
FuU.—To  keep  full  is  the  situation  of  the  sails  when  they  are 

kept  distended  by  the  wind. 
Ftirl.— To  roll  a  sail  close  up  to  the  yard  or  stay  to  which  it  be- 

^  longs,  and  to  wind  a  cord  round  it  to  keep  it  fast. 
Chan  the  wind.— To  arrive  to  the  windward  of  a  ship  when  both 

are  sailing  as  near  the  wind  as  possible. 
Cfammon  the  iowiprit. — Secure  it  by  turns  of  a  strong  rope  passed 

round  it  and  mto  the  cutwater,  to  prevent  it  from  having  too 

much  motion. 
Oanrway.— That  part  of  a  ship's  side,  both  witliin  and  without, 

by  which  persons  enter  and  depart. 
Oa$ket. — ^The  rope  which  is  passed  round  the  sail,  to  bind  it  to 

the  yard  when  it  is  furled. 
G'irf.— The  ship  is  girt  with  her  cables  when  she  is  too  tightly 

moored. 
Goofe-wtng«  if  a  toa.—The  clew  or  lower  cornets  of  a  ship's 

mainsail  or  foresail  when  the  middle  part  is  tied  or  furled  up 

to  the  yard. 
Ort^ling  tran.— A  species  of  anchor  with  four  or  six  flukes  to  it. 
Orcmmet. — A  rope  twisted  into  a  circular  form,  used  for  various 

purposes. 
Orouad  taekk.' 

a  ship. 

Gunwofe.— The  upper  edge  of  a  ship's  side. 
Gun-room. — ^A  place  appointed  for  tne  gunner  and  his  stores. 
Ojfrwff.— The  act  of  shifting  any  boom  sail  from  one  side  to  the 

other. 
iM'iordf . — ^The  ropes  by  which  the  saib  are  hoisted. 
Ibndmg. — ^The  same  as  furling. 
Hard-a^weather. — ^Put  the  tiller  quite  up  to  the  windward. 
2» 


-Every  thing  attached  to  anchors  and  cables  of 


Tfi 


m 


NAVTIOAL   VOCABULARY. 

7b  haul  the  wind.— To  direct  the  ship's  course  Hearer  to  the 
point  Irom  which  the  wind  blows. 

HawiehoteB—The  holes  in  the  bows  of  a  ship  through  which  the 
cables  pass. 

Hawser.— A  small  kind  of  cable. 

Heatif'Mt.—A  rope  employed  to  confine  the  head  of  a  ship  to  a 
wharf  or  to  some  other  vessel. 

Head  »aih.—A]l  the  sails  which  belong  to  the  foremast  and  bow- 
sprit. 

Head-tea.— When  the  waves  meet  at  the  head  of  a  ship  in  her 

course,  they  are  called  a  head  sea. 
Heave  of  the  sea.— la  the  power  that  the  swell  of  the  sea  has  upon 

a  sn'P  in  driving  her  out  of,  or  faster  on  Jier  course. 
Heel.— She  heels  to  port,  that  is,  inclines  or  lays  down  uoon 

either  side. 
Hold.— la  the  space  between  the  lower  deck  and  the  bottom  of  the 

ships  where  her  cargo,  &c.  is  stowed. 
iforte.— A  rope  reaching  from  the  middle  of  a  yard  to  its  arms  or 

extremities,  for  the  men  to  stand  on  when  they  are  loosiuir 

the  sails.  ." 

Hull  dotmi.—U  when  a  ship  is  so  far  off  that  you  can  only  see  her 
masts.  ' 

2\>  heave  tn  slays— To  bring  a  ship's  head  to  the  wind  by  a 
management  of  the  sails  and  rudder,  in  order  to  set  on  the 
other  tack. 

Jeer-blocks.— The  blocks  through  which  the  jeers  are  reeved 

vT**"^?  r^P^"  ^^  ^^^'^^  ^^^  '°^®''  y*''^^  "«  suspended. 
Jtfi.— The  foremost  sail  of  a  ship,  set  upon  a  boom  which  runs 

out  upon  the  bowsprit. 
Jift-ioom.— The  spar  that  runs  out  upon  the  bowsprit. 
JuryiHast.-A  temporary  or  occasional  mast,  erected  in  a  ship  in 

the  place  of  one  which  has  been  carried  away  by  accident. 
Keage. — A  anall  anchor  with  an  iron  stock. 
KeeL—The  principal  piece  of  timber  in  a  ship,  which  is  usually 

hrst  laid  on  the  blocks  in  building. 
Keel-hmd.—To  drag  a  person  backwards  and  forwards  under  a 

ship's  keel  for  certain  offences. 
Keekkd.-Any  pain  of  a  cable  covered  with  old  ropes,  to  prevent 

Its  surface  from  rubbing  against  the  ship's  bow  or  forefoot. 
To  keep  the  luff. — To  contmue  close  to  the  wind. 
Kelsmi.—A  piece  of  timber  forming  the  interior  of  the  keel,  being 

laid  on  the  floor  timbers  immediately  over  the  keel,  and 

serving  to  unite  the  former  to  the  latter. 
KenOedge. —Piga  of  iron  for  ballast,  laid  upon  the  floor  near  the 

kelson  fore  and  all. 
Jiri%>ers.— A  large  kind  of  plaited  rope,  which  being  twisted 

a'cund  the  messenger  and  cable,  in  weighing,  binds  them 

together.* 


NAUTICAL  VOCABULARY. 


15 


dearer  to  the 
ugh  which  the 

of  a  ship  to  a 

mast  and  bow- 

'  a  ship  in  her 

e  sea  has  upoa 

urse. 

s  dowa  upon 

I  bottom  of  the 

to  its  arms  or 
ey  are  toosjjug 

in  only  see  her 

»e  wind  by  a 
to  get  on  the 

5  reeved. 

pended. 

n  which  runs 

it._ 

il  in  a  ship  in 

)y  accident. 

tich  is  usually 

rards  under  a 

es,  to  prevent 
9r  forefoot. 

he  keel,  being 
the  keel,  and 

floor  near  the 

being  twisted 
:,  binds  them 


Kwnatage.—A  bright  appearance  in  the  horizon,  under  the  sun  or 
moon,  arising  from  the  reflected  light  of  these  bodies  from  the 
small  rippling  waves  on  the  surface  of  the  water. 

Lioden  in  bulk. — Freighted  with  a  cargo  not  packed. 

Land  fall. — The  first  land  discovered  after  a  sea  voyage. 

Land-heked — The  situation  of  a  ship  surrounded  with  land,  so  as 
to  exclude  the  prospect  of  the  sea,  unless  over  some  interve- 
ning land. 

Launch  Ao/— Signifies  that  the  object  is  high  enough  and  must  be 
suddenly  lowered. 

Leading  wind. — A  fair  wind  for  a  ship's  course. 

Lee. — That  part  of  the  hemisphere  to  which  the  wind  is  directed 
to  distiiiguish  it  from  the  other  part,  which  is  called  to  wind- 
ward 

Lee-way.— The  angle  which  the  line  of  a  ship's  way  makes  with 
a  Ime  in  the  direction  of  her  keel. 

Leeelus. — ^The  borders  or  edges  of  a  sail. 

To  lie  to. — To  retard  a  ship  in  her  course,  by  arranging  the  sails 
in  such  a  manner  as  to  counteract  each  other  with  nearly  an 
,    equal  effort,  so  as  to  ren-Jer  her  almost  stationary. 

Lijfte.— The  ropes  which  lead  from  the  end  of  the  yards  to  the 
heads  of  their  respective  masts. 

Log  and  log  line.— By  which  the  ship's  path  is  measured  and 
her  rate  of  going  ascertained. 

Loom. — To  appear  larger  than  the  real  dimensions  of  an  object. 

Lujf.— The  order  to  the  steersman  to  put  the  helm  towards  the  lee 
side  of  the  ship  in  order  to  sail  nearer  to  the  wind. 

Make  a  board. — Is  to  run  a  certain  distance  upon  one  tack,  in 
beating  to  windward. 

Man  the  yards.— U  placing  men  on  the  yards,  in  the  tops,  on  the 
ladder,  &c.  to  execute  any  necessary  duty. 

Mind  the  service. — Put  on  more  service. 

Messenger.— A  small  kind  of  cable,  which  being  brought  to  the 
capstan  and  the  cable  by  which  the  ship  rides  made  fast  to 
it,  it  purchases  the  anchor. 

To  miss  stays.— A  ship  is  said  to  miss  stays  when  her  head  will 
not  fly  up  in  the  direction  of  the  wind,  in  order  to  get  her  on 
the  other  tack 

Mixzenmast.— The  mast  which  stands  abaft. 

Moor. — To  secure  a  ship  with  two  anchors. 

JVarrows. — A  small  passage  between  two  lands. 

JVear!  or,  JVb  near!— An  order  to  the  steersman  not  to  keep  the 
ship  so  close  to  the  wind. 

JVippers. — A  certain  piece  of  cordage  used  to  fasten  the  messenger 
to  the  cable  in  4ieaving  u|>  the  anchor. 

JVWWng  off.— A  term  used  by  the  man  at  the  cun  to  the  steers- 
man, directing  him  not  to  go  from  the  wind. 


..  ■  ^'"i"-^im  gtf-aiito'a 


16 


NAUTICAL   VOCABULARY. 


Qffand  on. — When  a  ship  is  beating  to  windward  so  that  by 

one  board  she  approaches  to  the  shore,  and  by  the  other 

stands  out  to  sea. 
Offing. — To  seaward  from  th(  land. 
On  the  bow. — Before  the  beam  inclining  toward  the  stem  of  the 

ship. 
On  the  quarter— Abaft  the  beam  towards  the  stem  of  the  ship. 
Orlop. — The  deck  on  which  the  cables  are  stowed. 
Ooerhaid. — To  clear  away  and  disentangi  j  any  rope ;  also  to  cooie 

up  with  the  chase. 
Out  J' trim. — The  state  of  a  ship  when  she  is  not  properly  balanced 

for  the  purpose  of  navigation. 
Parcel  a  rope. — Is  to  put  a  quantity  of  old  canvas  upon  it  before 

the  service  is  put  on. 
Parting. — Being  driven  from  the  anchors  by  the  breaking  of  the 

cable. 
Pttwl.---A  short  bar  of  wood  or  iron  fixed  close  the  capstan  or 

windlass  of  a  ship,  to  prevent  those  engines  from  rolling  back, 

or  giving  way,  when  they  are  charged  with  any  great  effort. 
To  pay  away. — To  slacken  a  cable  or  other  rope  so  as  to  let  it  run 

out  for  some  particular  purpose. 
Peak,  to  ride  a  stay  peak.— Is  when  a  cable  and  fore  stay  form  a  line. 
Pennant.— A  long  narrow  flag  worn  at  the  mast-head  by  ships  of 

the  navy. 
PttcWng.— The  movement  of  a  ship,  by  which  she  plunges  her 
_  head  and  after  part  alternately  into  the  hollow  of  the  sea. 
Pmnt  blank. — The  direction  of  a  gun  when  levelled  horizontally. 
Pocjp.— The  highest  and  aftermost  deck  of  a  ship. 
Poi^pir^ — The  shock  of  a  high  and  heavy  sea  upon  the  stern  or 

quarter  of  a  ship,  when  she  scuds  before  the  wind  in  a  tem- 
pest. 

Port- — A  name  given  on  some  occasions  to  the  larboard  side  of 

the  ship 
Portt. — ^The  holes  in  the  ship's  sides  from  which  the  guns  arc  fired. 
Prese  tf  «a{{.— All  the  sail  that  a  ship  can  set  or  carry. 
Preventer. — An  additional  rope  employed  to  support  any  other  in 

a  heavy  strain. 
Pwrehaee. — Any  sort  of  mechanical  power  employed  in  raising  or 

moving  heavy  bodies. 
Qiiartere.— The  respective  stations  of  the  officers  and  people  in 

time  of  action. 
Quarter  mnd— Is  when  the  wind  blows  from  that  part  of  the 

horizon  situated  on  the  quarter  of  the  ship. 
JZoJite.— That  is  to  cannonade  a  ship  at  the  head  or  stem  so  that 

the  balls  scour  the  whole  length  of  the  decks. 
Raare  rf  eabk.—A  sufficient  length  of  cable  drawn  upon  deck 

oefote  the  anchor  is  cast  loose. 


1 
I 

I 

I 


& 

S 

s 

s 

s 

a 

s 


a 
s 


Nil 


■Wf»« 


■^ 


rd  so  that  by 
by  the  other 

e  stem  of  the 

n  of  the  ship. 

;  also  to  come 

perly  balanced 

upon  it  before 

reaking  of  the 

he  capstan  or 
n  rolling  back, 
f  great  effort. 
IS  to  let  it  run 

ay  form  a  line. 
Bid  by  ships  of 

;  plunees  her 
V  of  the  sea. 
t  horizontally. 

I  the  stern  or 
ind  in  a  tem- 

rboard  side  of 

juns  are  fired. 

t  any  other  in 

in  raising  or 

and  people  in 

t  part  of  the 

stem  so  that 

X  upon  deck 


NAUTICAL  VOCABULARY. 


It 


Rattmet. — Small  ropes  fastened  from  shroud  to  shroud,  forming  a 

ladder  to  go  aloil. 
Ready  about. — Implies  that  all  the  hands  are  to  be  attentive  and 

at  their  stations  for  tacking. 
R^f- — Part  of  a  sail  from  one  row  of  eyelet  holes  to  another. 
R^tfinS- — ^The  operation  of  reducing  a  sail  by  taking  in  one  or 

more  of  the  reefs. 
Ribt  (f  a  $hip, — A  figurative  expression  for  timbers. 
Ride  at  anrhor, — Is  when  a  ship  is  held  by  her  anchors,  and  is  not 

driven  by  wind  or  tide. 
Rijghting. — Restoring  a  ship  to  an  upright  position. 
Right  the  helm.— Is  to  bring  it  into  midsnips,  after  it  has  been 

pushed  either  to  starboard  or  larboard. 
Rigging  out  a  boom.— The  running  out  a  pole  at  the  end  of  a 

yard  to  extend  the  foot  of  a  sail. 
Road, — A  place  near  the  land  where  ships  may  anchor,  but 

which  iR  not  sheltered. 
Romding  in. — The  pulling  upon  any  rope  which  passes  through 

one  or  more  blocKS  in  a  direction  nearly  horizontal. 
Rousing. — Pulling  up  a  cable  or  rope  without  the  assistance  of 

tackles. 
Rudder. — The  machine  by  which  the  ship  is  steered. 
Rowlock. — The  notch  in  a  boat's  gunwale,  in  which  the  oars  rest 

in  rowing. 
Run. — ^The  after  part  of  a  ship  where  it  gets  extremely  narrow 

near  the  stem  pose. 
Run  out  a  warp.— To  carry  the  end  of  a  rope  out  from  a  ship  in  a 

boat,  and  fasten  it  to  some  distant  object,  so  that  by  it  the  ship 

may  be  moved  by  pulling  on  it. 
Soiling  him.— Is  expressed  of  a  ship,  when  in  the  best  state  for 

sailing. 
Scud. — To  20  right  before  the  wind. 
Sea-boat. — A  vessel  that  bears  the  sea  firmly. 
Sea-room. — A  sufficient  distance  from  the  coast,  or  any  dangerous 

rocks,  &c. 
Set  tail. — ^To  unfurl  and  expand  the  sails  to  the  wind. 
Shape  a  course.— To  direct  or  appoint  the  track  of  a  ship,  in  order 

to  prosecute  a  voyage. 
Sheer  off. — That  is  to  remove  to  a  greater  distance. 
Sheers. — Are  spars  lashed  together  and  raised  up  for  the  purpose 

of  getting  out  or  in  a  mast. 
Shut  home. — ^To  haul  the  corners  of  the  sail  to  the  blocks  on  the 

yard-arm  by  means  of  a  rope. 
Ship-Aape, — In  a  seaman-like^manner. 
Shoot  ahead. — To  advance  forward. 
Shrouds — Large  ropes  extending  from  the  mast-heads  to  the  light 

and  left  ::des  of  a  ship,  to  support  the  masts  and  enaUe  them 

to  carry  sail. 


m 


1 


•J.-.Ht^iJiaaiiih.'ajA,^*' 


^'WW^^^f'S'^^K^l^ill/^ ' 


'§ 


I 


II'. 


18 


NAUTICAL   VOCABULARY. 


Siy  the  coifc.— That  is  let  it  run  quite  out,  when  there  is  not  time 

to  weigh  the  anchor. 
Swmd — To  try  the  depth  of  water. 

aptiee.— To  make  two  ends  of  rope  fast  together  by  untwisUnff 
^  them  and  th^n  entwining  the  strands  of  one  piece  with  the 
strands  of  the  other. 
Spray.— The  sprinkling  of  a  sea. 

'hea""*"'""''  '°  "'^'^^  "  '"'*®*'  ^'"^'  ^°'  ^^  '°®*°'  °f  * 
Squall.— A  sudden  violent  blast  of  wind. 
Square.— Is  applied  to  yards  that  are  trery  long,  as  taunt  is  to  hitrh 

masts.  " 

Square  the  yards.-.To  hmce  the  yards  so  that  they  may  hanjr  at 

right  angles  with  the  hi  ,11.  '    ^      ^ 

StorW.-Jl'he  right  hand  side  of  a  ship  when  looking  forward. 
10  etma  ^p.—Jo  arrange  the  sails  and  move  the  rudder  so  as  to 

brmg  the  ship's  head  in  the  direction  of  the  wind  in  order  to 

get  her  on  the  other  tack. 
StefldM.— The  order  to  the  helmsman  to  keep  the  ship  the  direction 

she  IS  gomg  at  that  mutant. 
Stem.— A  circular  piece  of  timber  into  which  the  two  sides  of  a 

ship  are  united  at  the  fore-end. 
Stem  tlie  lide:!^la  sailing  against  the  tide  so  as  to  overcome  its 

power.  ,  •w"»v  lu 

S*emmo»/._The  farthest  astern. 

forem7^*'^"'^°"°°  by  which  a  ship  falls  back  with  her  stem 

^S!^Tr~^J^^^'^  kind  of  rope  to  secure  the  cable  abaft  the  bitts. 
fMnmded.—Whea  applied  to  a  vessel  means  that  she  is  run 

aground  and  is  lost. 
Stream  the  buoy.— To  throw  the  buoy  into  the  water  previous  to 

casUug  anchor. 
Strike  ioundings.— To  touch  the  ground  in  endeavouring  to  find 

the  depth  of  water  in  a  harbour  or  road. 
Sueqnng.— To  drag  the  bight  of  a  rope  on  the  bottom  in  older  to 
^^obtom  an  anchor  or  any  tiling  that  may  be  lost, 
ijwwa*— The  uppermost  part  ol  a  ship's  stern. 
Ibmpwn.— The  bung  or  piece  of  wood,  by  which  the  mouth  of  a 

cannon  is  filled  to  keep  out  wet. 
iMrf^Improperly  though  very  genemlly  used  for  tight. 
3M*" — ^A  row  of  guns  or  any  thina  else. 
2Wer.— A  large  piece  of  wood  or  beam,  inserted  into  the  head  of  a 

rudder,  and  by  me«M  of  which  the  rudder  is  moved. 
iwwene^To  go  bae^;wards  and  forwards. 
2ric«,  tnee  up.— ^To  haul  up  and  fasten. 
SKp  the  mOior.— To  loosen  the  anchor  from  the  ground. 
lYough  tfthe  *ea.— The  hollow  between  two  waves. 


1 
1 
I 
I 
I 
L 
L 
V 

V 

h 

n 
n 

n 

H 
H 
H 

ft 
n 

T 

w 

Yt 
Y' 


-'"MtnmM 


here  is  not  time 


'  by  untwisting 
piece  with  the 


y  means  of  a 

taunt  is  to  high 

!y  may  hang  at 

okine  forward, 
rudder  so  as  to 
'ind  in  order  to 

ip  the  direction 

two  sides  of  a 

)  overcome  its 

with  her  stem 

abaft  the  bitts. 
a  she  is  run 

:er  previous  to 

ouring  to  find 

>m  in  order  to 

le  mouth  of  a 
ght. 

the  head  of  a 
red. 

and. 


NAUTICAl.  VOCABCLART. 


10 


Tnuk^A  round  piece  of  wood  put  on  the  tops  of  flag-staflh. 

TruMttl. — A  small  sail  used  in  blustering  weather, 

Unbend.— To  take  the  sails  off  from  their  yards  and  stays. 

Unbitt — To  remove  the  cable  from  off  the  bitts. 

Under  tem/.—Wl^en  a  ship  is  sailing  she  is  said  to  be  under  way. 

Uiyurl. — ^To  unloose.  * 

Unrig — To  deprive  a  ship  of  her  rigging. 

Veer  or  wear  the  thip.— To  change  a  ship's  course,  from  one  tack 

to  the  other. 
Veer  <'v>ay. — To  let  a  rope  or  cable  run  out. 
IVake.—The  path  or  track  impressed  on  the  water  by  the  ship 

passinf/  through  it. 
Wake.— Ate  strong  timbers  that  go  round  a  ship,  a  little  above 

her  vater-line. 
Waist. —■'^?h&t  part  of  a  ship  contained  betwetn  the  quarter  deck 

and  forecastle. 
Watn^livif.— The  line  made  by  the  water's  edge  when  a  shin  has 

her  lull  projportion  of  stores,  &c.  on  board. 
fVat^'bome — The  state  of  a  ship  when  there  is  hardly  sufficient 

depth  of  water  to  float  her  off' from  the  ground. 
Water-logged.— The  strte  cf  a  ship  when  heavy  and  inactive  on 

the  sea,  from  the  great  quantity  of  water  leaked  into  her. 
Water-tight.— The  state  of  a  ship  when  not  leaky. 
Weather. — To  weather  anything  is  to  get  to  windward  of  it. 
Weatlier-bettten. — Shattered  by  a  storm. 
Wind  a  $hip. — To  change  her  position,  bringing  her  he;d  where 

her  stern  was. 
Wind'a-eye. — The  point  from  which  the  wind  blows, 
lb  work  a  ship. — ^To  direct  the  movements  ofa  ship  by  adapting 

the  sails  and  maiiaging  the  rudder  according  to  the  course  she 

has  to  make. 
To  work  to  teindward. — To  make  a  progress  against  the  direction 

of  the  wind. 
Woold, — To  bind  round  with  ropes. 
Yards. — The  spars  upon  which  the  sails  are  spread. 
Vnwing. — The  motion  ofa  ship  when  she  deviates  from  her  course 

to  right  or  left. 


f 

■I) 


*«<*'  I  <il!^l«  .Ji^aaaafe-- 


!■:» 


..^^yirawwWPmyHllHiiin  ^ 


; 


\M. 


mm\ 


Se 
to 

fT6 

ret 

mo 

on 

an 

Ro: 

the 

ropi 

con 

obsi 

ing 

Th« 

of  t 

obse 

theii 

of  tl 


'.•^^iMiH^tdtt-. 


, ,  viiiiiaBitiifffMhaBuiftVw^'ii  "• 


:  i 


LI.  ]^  ON  THE      CEAN. 


CHAPTER  I. 

B.RTH     AND    P*BENTAOE_cXRLr    D.S.R.     rOIl    THB    LIF,     0»    A 

S4IL0R. 

I  was  born  in  Roxbunr  in  the  State  of  Massachusetts 
September  13th  a.  d.  1/92.  My  father  being  aSJS 
to  the  navy  of  the  United  Statesfand  necessarllySt 
frdm  home  dunng  much  of  his  time,  induce7mv  M- 
rente  to  rehnquish  the  cares  of  housekeeping^-anJC 
mother  preferrmg  to  reside  M-ith  a  brotjfer^'.^o  li^ 
on  the  confines  of  Canada,  it  was  concluded  to  pE 

Roxbury  for  the  purpose  of  receiving  an  education  at 
the  schools  in  that  place,  which  were  then  in  the  h  ghest 
repute.  Th.s  family  was  attached  to  the  PresbytS 
congregation  m  that  town;  and  accordingly  a^S 

'^^  ?u  ^^«"P/"'"es»  were  early  enjoined  upon  us 
Tfiey  adhered  blamelessly  to  all  the*^  outw^HorSis 
of  that  church,  and  the  most  perfect  reguCty  52 
observed,  not  only  with  every  thing  connecteTtdS 

ifTh«-?T"\T;'^irP'.  ^'''  ^^'^  i«  t'^^  management 
of  their  household  affairs.    No  perceptible  difference 
3  , 


«,« 


'Vii«>V  ^••WV-  ■ 


mtaMijimwiHi-iginnwiiw  II       II  ■ 


23 


LIFE   ON   THE   OCEAN. 


;m, 


!,:i 


I"  ' 


1.1 


wan  observed  in  their  conduct  towards  us,  and  their 
own  children.  Habitfl  of  industry  wore  inculcated  upon 
all,  and  the  precept  "be  independent  of  all,"  was  oAen 
repeated,  ana  became  so  thoroughly  engrafted,  as  to  be  a 
kind  of  fixed  principle  in  after  life.  At  the  age  of  nine 
years,  I  was  placed  at  the  Roxbury  Grammar  School  to 
receive  an  English  education  ;  an  institution  as  before 
stated,  considered  to  be  at  that  period  among  the  best  in 
the  State.  Here  I  made  considerable  progress  in  the  ele- 
mentary branches,  and  can  even  now  distinctly  recollect 
the  ambitious  aspirations  which  actuated  me,  and  by 
which  I  was  incited  to  diligence  in  the  acquisition  of 
knowledge.  This  disposition  was,  however,  in  a  great 
degree  engendered  by  the  wholesome  advice  received 
from  my  relations,  and  by  the  custom  of  devoting  a 
portion  of  time  every  day  to  manual  labour,  which  was 
greatly  beneiicial,  not  only  in  establishing  habits  of 
industry,  but  also  in  laying  tht!  foundation  of  a  firm  and 
vigorous  constitution.  Two  years  had  now  elapsed, 
and  I  had  rapidly  progressed  in  my  studies,  when  my 
mind  first  became  agitated  with  reflections  on  my  future 
course  in  life,  and  schemes  of  worldly  prosperity  and 
distinction  suggested  themselves  to  my  imagination. 
Often  when  my  father  visited  me  on  his  reUirn  from 
sea,  would  he  pourtray  in  glowing  colours  the  scenes 
he  had  witnessed  in  foreign  lands,  and  then  recite  the 
wonders  of  a  sea-fiiriug  life ;  but  when  he  found  that 
enthusiasm  awakened,  wiiich  such  descriptions  are  so 
well  calculated  to  excite  in  a  youthful  bosom,  with 
parental  tact  and  with  a  master-hand,  he  would  throw 
a  sombre  aspect  over  the  whole  picture,  to  smother 
every  predilection  Avhich  I  may  have  entertained  for 
such   a  calling,  would   then   r'bcount   the   perils  and 

fmvations  of  an  ocean  life.  But  his  efllbrts  were  fruit- 
ess  ;  my  partiality  for  the  sea  "grew  with  my  growth, . 
and  strengthened  with  my  strength."  My  young  imagi- 
nation was  often  wound  up  to  the  highest  pitch  of 
excitement  at  the  idea  of  exploring  the  trackless  ocean  ; 
and  to  me  the  prospect  of  treading  the  quarter  deck,  as 


tl 
a 
tl 

V 
f€ 

ei 
w 
ni 
w 

St 

m 

ca 
re 
hi 

0l( 

no 
of 
mi 
of 
no 
toi 

W( 

as 

COI 

ini 
dii 
an{ 
wh 
act 
ma 
imi 
hifl 

par 
nig 
the 


— •  IIBII    l|l» 


MUM 


mifm 


m 


LIFE   ON   TIM     ^ruAN. 


23 


IS,  and  their 
ulcated  uDon 
II,"  was  often 
ed,  as  to  be  a 
le  age  of  nine 
lar  School  to 
tion  as  before 
rig  the  best  in 
-es8  in  the  ele- 
nctly  recollect 
i  me,  and  by 
acquisition  of 
ver,  in  a  jfreat 
[vice  received 
of  devoting  a 
ir,  which  was 
tng  habits  of 
\  of  a  firm  and 
now  elapsed, 
iies,  when  my 

on  my  future 
wosperity  and 
imagination. 
s  return  from 
irs  the  scenes 
hen  recite  the 

he  found  that 

•iptions  are  so 

)08om,  with 

would  throw 
to  smother 

ntcrtained  for 
perils  and 
were  fruit- 

1  my  growth, 

young  imagi- 
lest  pitch  of 

ickless  ocean ; 

larter  deck,  as 


e, 


the  ruling  spirit  of  some  stately  rratl,  seonied  the  very 
acme  of  all  earthly  felicity  una  niribition.  The  oppor- 
tunities which  I  enjoyed  of  boarding  veasclH  and  con- 
versing with  sennion,  whom  I  regiirded  as  the  finest 
fellows  in  the  world,  by  no  nieans  tended  to  abate  my 
enthusiasm ;  notwithstanding  every  s]X)cic8  of  dissuasion 
was  resorted  to,  in  consecjuencu  of  the  repugnance  of 
my  father  to  the  encouragomuiit  and  gratification  of  my 
wishes.  And  here  I  cuuiiot  forbear  relating  a  circum- 
stance, which  in  a  great  monsuro  established  the  deter- 
mination I  had  formed  of  following  the  sen. 

There  was  living  at  this  time  in  the  family  in  the 
capacity  of  gardener,  a  superannuated  sailor,  a  distant 
relative  of  my  uncle,  and  it  was  to  mo  a  source  of  the 
highest  gratification,  to  sit  in  the  evenings  beside  this 
old  man,  and  hear  him  relate  with  that  quaintness  of 
narration  peculiar  to  his  profession,  the  wonderful  stories 
of  his  voyages,  his  adventures  in  foreign  lands,  and  the 
many  thrillmg  incidents  which  abound  in  the  jovial  life 
of  a  sailor.  After  adroitly  contrasting  this  continued 
novelty,  and  these  varied  scenes,  with  the  dull  mono- 
tony of  a  life  spent  on  shore  in  any  occupation,  he 
would  conclude  with  an  ejaculation  which  operated 
as  a  death-blow  to  all  the  dissuasive  arguments  urged 
by  my  relatives.  "Oh,  if  I  had  twenty  son.s,"  said  he, 
"I  would  make  them  all  seamen."  Perhaps  there  is  no 
condition  in  life  in  which  old  age  so  strongly  exerts  the 
itifluence  it  so  deservedly  possesses,  as  that  of  an  in* 
dividual  whose  fortunes  have  been  cast  amid  the  perils 
and  privations  of  a  "life  on  the  ocean  wave ;"  and 
when  we  find  it  aided  by  that  garrulity  which  so  often 
accompanies  gray  hairs  m  this  profession,  we  are  not  to 
marvel  that  the  exercise  of  its  powers  on  a  youthful 
imagination,  should  more  than  suffice  to  awaken  its 
highest  enthusiasm. 

The  stories  of  this  old  man  were  my  constant  com- 
panions by  day  and  the  unchanging  subjects  of  my 
nightly  dreams.  Often  a  single  niglit  would  witness 
the  magical  performance  of  an  ordinary  twelve  months' 


•  ■^.-r^mmp^v^^*  n^;  **- 


r!! 


:¥h 


m 


24 


LIFE   ON  THE   OCEAN. 


voyage.  Cloud-capt  mountains,  stately  spires  and  gor- 
geous palaces  would  now  bound  the  prospect  before  me ; 
now  I  would  find  myself  wandering  in  the  midst  of 
some  great  metropolis,  lost  in  admiration  at  the  greater 
than  oriental  splendour  around  me,  and  again  by  that 
mysterious  influence  which  all  have  felt  and  none  can 
unravel,  I  would  be  angrily  tossed  in  the  midst  of  an 
awful  hurricane  upon  the  heaving  bosom  of  the  deep; 
thus  experiencing  in  the  short  space  of  a  few  uncon- 
scious moments,  the  delightiiil  emotions  arising  firom 
the  most  exquisite  enjoyment,  to  be  followed  by  that 
intense  and  overpowering  agony,  with  which  we  con- 
template sqme  dreadful  and  impending  calamity.  Time 
glided  on ;  my  inclination  in  favour  of  the  sea  was  un- 
changed, and  despite  the  opposition  of  my  father  and 
uncle,  my  determmatiou  had  become  unalterably  fixed 
to  abide  its  toils  and  dangers. 

The  tburth  year  of  my  schooling  had  expired,  and  as 
I  was  considered  competent  to  act  as  a  clerk,  I  was 

placed  in  the  store  of  a  merchant  at  K ,  a  relative 

of  the  family,  and  with  whom  my  uncle  was  upon  terms 
of  the  closest  intimacy.  This  was  to  me  a  source  of 
keen  disappointment :  I  saw  at  once  that  all  the  fairy 
schemes  which  had  so  long  dazzled  and  delighted 
me,  and  excited  such  brilliant  hopes  of  future  success, 
were  utterly  frustrated ;  and  it  was  only  by  the  earnest 
persuasion  and  efforts  of  my  friends,  that  I  at  length 
became  partially  reconciled.  Accordingly  a  day  was 
fixed  for  my  departure,  previously  to  which,  I  re- 
ceived much  admonitory  counsel  from  my  good  old 
relative.  Time  with  its  ever  withering  influences,  has 
not  erased  from  my  memory,  the  solemnity  of  his  manner, 
when,  the  day  before  my  departure,  he  drew  me  aside 
and  said,  '^George,  you  are  now  about  to  enter  upon  tlie 
world,  and  will  soon  be  far  beyond  the  control  and 
friendly  advice  of  those  who  love  you.  You  will  be 
thrown  upon  your  own  resources,  and  it  will  depend 
much  upon  yourself  what  your  future  condition  in  life 
may  be ;"  and,  then  with  great  earnestness,  he  continued, 


t 

I 
1 
I 
f 
s 
c 
t 

I 


iuiin)uj,ii.iwipwpi. 


— ^1 


LIFE   ON   THE   OCEAN. 


u 


rires  and  gor- 
Bct  before  me ; 

the  midst  ojf 
at  the  greater 
again  by  that 
and  none  can 
e  midst  of  an 
1  of  the  deep; 
a  few  uncon- 

arising  from 
[owed  by  that 
irhich  we  con- 
amity.  Time 
e  sea  was  un- 
ny  father  and 
alterably  fixed 

xpired,  and  as 
clerk,  I  was 

,  a  relative 

'as  upon  terms 

e  a  source  of 

it  all  the  fairy 

md  delighted 

uture  success, 

by  the  earnest 

at  I  at  length 

y  a  day  was 

which,  I  re- 

my  good  old 

n^uences,  has 

of  his  manner, 

rew  me  aside 

inter  upon  Uie 

e  control  and 

You  will  be 

will  depend 

ndition  in  life 

he  continued, 


"first  read  your  Bible  and  be  obedient  to  its  precepts  and 
commandments ;  it  will  teach  you  your  duty  towards 
God,  your  fellow-men,  and  yourself;  be  honest  and  in- 
dustrious,  respect  the  rights  of  others,  study  the  interests 
pf  your  employer,  and  endeavour  to  become  a  thorough 
master  of  your  business."  During  this  recital  I  saw  the 
big  tear  stealing  down  the  furrowed  cheek  of  the  old 
man,  whilst  I  myself  wept  immoderately  and  promised 
implicit  obedience  to  his  injunctions. 

The  hour  for  my  departure  at  length  arrived,  and  the 
family  having  been  assembled  to  exchange  with  me  the 
last  adieu,  the  sound  of  "God  bless  you,"  rung  in  my 
ears,  and  we  drove  rapidly  away  from  the  old  family 
mansion.  In  two  days  we  completed  cur  journey,  ana 
arrived  at  K ,  New  Hampshire.  This  town  is  situa- 
ted thirty  leagues  north-east  of  Boston,  about  twelve  miles 
from  the  Connecticut  River,  and  nearly  the  same  distance 
from  the  fomous  Bellows  Falls.  It  was  u  place  of  con- 
siderable importance,  numbering  about  two  thousand  in- 
habitants at  that  period,  and  the  borough  town  of  the 
county,  through  which  lay  the  direct  route  to  the  sea- 
board from  the  upper  part  of  the  State,  as  well  as  firom 
Vermont.  Here  I  was  kindly  received  by  the  fiunily 
of  Mr.  D.  and  immediately  entered  upon  the  duties 
of  my  new  station,  as  clerk  of  a  country  store.  My 
attention  now  became  so  much  engrossed  with  the 
business  of  store-keeping  that  my  strong  propensity  finr 
the  sea  in  a  measure  wore  off ;  nevertheless,  six  months 
had  not  elapsed' — such  was  the  monotony  of  country  life, 
and  such  especially  the  dull  uniformity  of  country  store- 
keeping — that  I  grew  exceedingly  weary,  and  again 
longed  for  the  noise  and  bustle  of  the  seaport  My  old 
nautical  propensities  were  re-awakened ;  I  again  yearned 
for  the  opportunities  I  formerly  enjoyed,  of  visiting  the 
shipping,  and  mingling  in  the  varied  amusements  of  a 
commercial  city ;  and  at  length,  became  so  negligent  in 
the  performance  of  my  duties,  as  to  incur  the  strong  dis- 
pleasure of  Mr.  D.,  by  whom,  I  feel  it  but  justice  to  say, 
mat  every  indulgence  was  granted  me,  and  nothing  left 
3* 


;  !li 


Wl!: 


9» 


LIFE   ON  THE   OCEAN. 


undone  on  the  part  either  of  his  family  or  himself,  to 
render  my  situation  agreeable.  1  at  length  plainly 
acknowledged  to  him  that  my  present  occupation  was 
not  at  all  congenial  to  my  feelings,  and  requested  him  to 
write  to  my  relatives  in  Roxbury,  that  a  situation  might 
be  procured  for  me  in  Boston.  This  was  accordingly 
done,  my  request  was  complied  with  by  my  uncle,  and 
although  I  felt  regret  at  leaving  the  hospitable  roof  and 
amiable  family  of  Mr.  D.,  yet  my  contemplated  residence 
in  Boston,  afforded  me  great  delight,  and  it  was  with 
more  of  rejoicing  than  otherwise,  that  I  bade  a  final 

adieu  to  the  pleasant  town  of  K . 

I  had  been  fourteen  months  absent  from  my  uncle's 
mansion,  when  I  again  entered  it  with  a  feeling  of  fore- 
boding, that  my  reception  would  not  be  so  cordial  as  it 
was  wont  to  be.  The  result  proved  that  my  apprehen- 
sions were  not  groundless.  It  so  happened  that  my 
uncle  was  the  first  person  I  met,  who  in  rather  a  caustic 
manner  said,  "George,  you  have  not  done  well,  you 
have  left  a  good  busmess,  and  a  kind  master,  and  I  am 
yery  fearfiil,  although  I  have  procured  you  a  good  situa- 
tion in  Boston,  that  your  strong  inchnation  for  a  sea- 
faring life,  will  lead  you  to  the  comniission  of  another 
act  similar  to  this."  1  promised  him  that  I  would  en- 
deavour to  subdue  my  inclinations  in  that  respect,  and 
without  delay  entered  upon  my  duties  as  a  clerk  in  the 
counting-house  of  Messrs.  B.  &,  J.  W.  importing  mer- 
chants. Here,  certainly,  a  desirable  ommrtunity  was 
presented  of  advancing  my  fortunes,  and  could  I  have 
remained  contented  to  complete  my  term  of  service  with 
these  gentlemen,  1  should  in  all  probability,  at  this 
time,  in  common  with  my  fellow-clerks,  be  engaged  in 
mercantile  transactions.  Time  glided  on,  my  career  was 
smooth  and  promising,  and  according  to  the  assurances 
I  had  given  my  uncle,  I  endeavoured  by  sedulous  at- 
tention, to  fix  my  mind  to  the  business  in  which  I  was 
engi^ied,  although  possessing  no  very  strong  relish  for 
the  incessant  drudgery  of  an  under  clerk.  About  this 
time,  however,  a  circumstance  occurred  which  again 


u 
ft 
ta 

P< 
re 

g» 
ac 

su 

Bi 

in 

tif 
th 

St( 

sti 
lot 

CO] 

wl 

int 

kn 

inc 

hai 

api 

pei 

"y( 

thii 

be 

are 

still 

and 

citl; 

subi 

th:R 

boa 

witl 

detc 

sent 

Nov 

artic 


himself,  to 
gth  plainly 
ipation  was 
ested  him  to 
alien  might 
accordingly 
r  uncle,  and 
>le  roof  and 
Bd  residence 
it  was  with 
jade  a  final 

I  my  uncle's 
iling  of  tore- 
cordial  as  it 
ly  apprehen- 
ed  that  my 
her  a  caustic 
le  well,  you 
er,  and  I  am 
i.  good  situa- 
)n  for  a  sea- 
n  of  another 
I  would  en- 
respect,  and 
clerk  in  the 
trting  mer- 
irtunity  was 
luld  I  have 
Iservice  with 
Lity,  at  this 
engaged  in 
[y  career  was 
assurances 
lulous  at- 
hich  I  was 
ig  relish  fat 
About  this 
'hich  again 


LIFE   ON  THE    OCEAN. 


27 


unsettled  my  mind,  uprooted  the  stern  resolves  I  had 
formed,  and  completely  changed  the  whole  current  of 
my  fortunes. 

The  ship  Dromo,  Capt.  W.  was  fitting  out  for  an  ex- 
pedition to  the  Pacific  Ocean,  and  eighty  men  were 
required  as  her  complement,  thirty  of  whom  were  to  be 
green  hands.  Several  young  men  with  whom  I  was 
acquainted  had  engaged  to  embark  in  it,  and  every  per- 
suasion was  used  to  induce  me  to  accompany  them. 
But  little  entreaty  was  necessary  to  gain  my  acquiescence 
in  this  measure,  and  as  pretext  was  soon  formed  to  jus- 
tify me  in  leaving  the  employment  of  the  Messrs.  W. 
the  object  was  speedily  accomplished.  Although  this 
step  met  the  decided  disapproval  of  my  relations,  no  ob- 
stacle now  prevented  me  from  reducing  to  practice  my 
long  cherished  and  ard^ht  desire  for  the  sea ;  and  ac- 
cordingly I  visited  the  ship  with  two  young  friends 
who  had  already  engaged  in  the  expedition,  and  was 
introduced  to  Capt.  W.  to  whom  I  immediately  made 
known  my  wishes.  With  great  kindness  of  manner,  he 
inquired  of  me,  who  my  friends  were,  and  whether  I 
had  taken  this  step  with  their  approbation.  I  frankly 
apprised  him  of  my  former  situation,  and  the  strong  pro- 
pensity I  had  indulged  in.  "Young  man,"  he  replied, 
"you  have  chosen  a  life  full  of  toil  and  hazard,  and  as 
this  voyage  will  perhaps  be  one  of  great  peril,  it  would 
be  well  for  you  to  reflect  maturely  upon  the  measure  you 
are  about  to  odopt;  consult  your  friends,  and  if  you  are 
still  determined  to  go  to  sea,  come  on  board  to-morrow 
and  I  will  give  you  an  answer.  This  advice  was  impLi- 
citly  followed;  I  conferred  with  mv  fiiends  upon  the 
subject,  and  as  they  deemed  it  no  longer  advisable  to 
thwart  me  in  my  inclination,  I  repaired  the  next  day  on 
board  the  ship,  stated  to  Capt  W.  that  I  had  complied 
with  his  suggestion,  and  that  the  result  was  a  settled 
determination  to  go  with  him.  He  immediately  con- 
sented to  give  me  a  berth  and  I  signed  the  ship's  articIesV 
November  20th,  1807.  The  voyage  as  specified  in  the 
articles,  was  to  the  North-^est  coast  of  America,  fiom 


28 


LIFE   ON  THE   OCEAN. 


I 


III 

i 


thence  to  China,  and  back  to  the  United  States.  But 
rumour  with  great  plausibility  represented  the  design 
of  the  expedition  was  to  force  a  trade  in  the  Spanish 
ports  of  the  Western  Continent,  then  declared  illegal 
except  for  Spanish  vessels ;  which  was  rather  con  finned 
from  the  fact  of  the  ship  mounting  twenty-six  guns, 
with  a  complement  of  one  hundred  men.  As  the  vessel 
was  expected  to  sail  in  about  fifteen  days,  the  first  officer, 
Mr.  L.  eyeing  me  askant,  remarked,  "my  lad,  you  had 
better  go  on  shore  and  exchange  your  long  togs  for  a 
sailor's  rig,  and  come  on  board  that  you  may  get  used  to 
the  ship  before  she  goes  to  sea." 

I  was  now  satisfied.  The  brilliant  hopes  upon  which 
my  imagination  had  so  long  feasted  seemed  at  last 
to  be  attained.  A  career  of  dazzling  adventure  was 
before  me.  It  was  one  of  my*own  choice  and  seeking, 
dcspUe  the  anxious  entreaties  and  untiring  eflforts  of  my 
firiends  to  change  it ;  and  whether  these  sanguine  expec- 
tations have  been  fulfilled,  in  the  twenty  long  years 
of  toil  and  suffering  through  which  I  have  struggled,  I 
will  leave  the  reader  in  the  sequel  to  judge. 


QC 


be 
ch 
bo 

ge 
th( 

"V 

clc 

art 

for 

gla 

cof 

pla 

bet 

the 

frej 

up( 

awi 

ber 

wei 

sai( 

to-r 

she 

tim 

frea 

of  1 

imp 

boa 


i  »i»e'as'»»w>W.lg*iiij«A'- 


States.  But 
d  the  design 

the  Spanish 
tclared  illegal 
ler  confirmed 
ity-six  guns, 
As  the  vessel 
he  first  officer, 
lad,  you  had 
ng  togs  for  a 
ay  get  used  to 

!s  upon  which 
;enied  at  last 
iventure  was 
and  seeking, 
f  efforts  of  my 
nguine  expec- 
ty  long  years 
e  struggled,  I 


CHAPTER   II. 

oonro  ow  board— descriptioit  op  ship  and  ohabaoteb  op 

THE   OrPICKRS— OBSERVATIONS    UPON   OREEW   HAITDS— OBTTIHO 
t7NDXR   WEIGH— FIRST   KIOHT   AT   SEA— GALE,  ftC. 

The  day  appointed  for  sailing  was  the  6th  of  Decem- 
oer.    In  the  meantime  I  provided  myself  with  a  sea- 
chest,  well  stored  with  clothing,  small  stores,  a  quadrant, 
books,  &c.,  together  with  a  small  adventure.    WhiUt 
getting  our  chests  on  board,  we  were  saluted  with 
<7l!^  ' .  ^'"^  harangue  by  the  second  officer,  Mr.  C. 
"What !  transmogrified,  eh !"  for  we  had  doffed  ourlonff 
Clothes  and  were  rigged  in  complete  sailor  suits ;  "you 
are  a  couple  of  tight  little  chaps  with  pretty  smooth  feces 
tor  old  Neptune's  scraper,"  and  casting  a  significant 
glMce  at  our  chests,  said,  "you  have  two  very  pretty 
coffins  there ;  well,  we  shall  know  where  to  come  for 
plank,  If  our  bulwarks  are  stove  in  off  Cape  Horn ;  but 
Dear-a-hand  and  get  your  dunnage  stowed  away,  for  if 
the  owner  should  pass  this  way  he'll  make  you  nay 
fieight  on  your  bandboxes."    Thus  saying  he  turned 
upon  his  heel  and  left  us,  while  we  quickly  stowed 
away  our  chests  in  the  forecasUe,  and  selected  our 
berths.    As  we  were  in  the  act  of  going  on  shore  we  • 
were  again  accosted  by  Mr.  C.    "What,  young  lads '» 
said  he  "off  again,  hark-ye,  this  ship  hauls  in  thi  sti«a^ 
to-morrow,  and  mind,  all  hands  are  to  be  on  board  when 
She  IS  ready  to  go  ;  if  you  are  among  the  missing  at  that 

Sn^^J'^'"  ^\  '''''y  *P*  ^  ^«^«  your  memories 
fireshened  dunng  the  cruise."  The  tone  and  manner 
of  the  latter  part  of  this  address  made  a  venr  sensible 
unpression  on  my  mird,  and  as  we  determined  to  profit 
by  tfii*  friendly  hint,  we  took  especial  caiB  to  be  on 
board  early  the  next  day.  «»  « 


II 


30 


LIFE   ON  THE   OCEAIT. 


About  three  o'clock  in  the  afternoon,  the  greater  port 
of  the  crew  being  on  board,  preparations  were  made  to 
haul  into  the  stream.  Various  orders  were  given  in  quick 
succession,  and  as  one  half  of  these  were  to  me  unintel- 
ligible, it  was  a  source  of  consolation  to  know  that  there 
were  many  on  board  in  a  similar  predicament.  The 
boats  were  now  ordered  to  go  ahead"  with  the  tow-line, 
the  fosts  were  cast  off,  a  range  of  cable  overhauled, 
and  the  anchor  got  off  the  bows,  ready  to  be  let  go. 
These  last  two  items  of  duty  are  al  way  sper  formed  when 
a  ship  is  about  to  come  to  an  anchor.  Twenty  or  thirty 
fathoms  of  the  cable,  according  to  the  depth  of  water, 
are  generally  hauled  upon  deck,  and  the  parts  over- 
hauled round  the  windlass,  so  that  there  may  be  no 
impediment  when  the  anchor  is  let  go ;  and  when  the 
anchor  is  clear  the  bows,  it  is  suspended  by  a  single  rope, 
so  that  when  the  ship  gets  to  her  anchorage  and  the 
order  is  given  to  "let  go,"  all  may  be  clear,  and  the  ship 
brought  to  in  her  proper  berth.  It  being  quite  calm  we 
were  quickly  towed  from  the  wharf  to  the  anchorage ; 
and  it  was  a  little  curious  to  witness  the  pride  and 
anxiety  of  the  officers  to  make  the  ship  look  well.  This 
was  done  by  hauling  every  rope  taught,  and  squaring 
the  yards  with  the  lifts  and  braces,  at  the  command 
of  the  second  officer,  who  went  in  a  boat  some  distance 
around  the  ship.  It  may  here  be  remarked,  that  a  good 
seaman  takes  just  as  much  pride  in  the  appearance  of 
his  vessel  as  a  lady  does  in  that  of  her  drawing-room ; 
and  no  surer  indication  of  an  officer's  nautical  skill  is 
wanting  to  the  practised  eye  of  a  sailor,  than  the 
amwarance  of  his  ship  while  lying  at  anchor  in  port. 
After  every  thing  was  put  in  "ship-shape"  order,  as  a 
sailor  would  say,  the  anchor  watches  were  set  with  four 
men  in  each,  to  be  relieved  every  two  hours.  It  is  not 
usual  however  in  merchant  vessels,  to  have  more  than 
two  men  in  an  anchor  watch,  but  as  we  had  a  large  crew 
tfie  number  was  increased.  The  watches  were  so  regu- 
lated as  to  have  two  able  seaman  and  two  greeik  hands 
in  each.    By  this  time  the  crew  were  all  on  board  with 


i\ 
si 
oi 
fii 
ai 
h< 
hi 
dt 

sh 
of 
lif 
hi 
th 
foi 
he 

CO] 

m( 

8e< 

ga 

pie 

no 

bet 

sol 

m^ 

wu 

uui 

hoc 

dec 

sur 

um 

mei 

the 

latt 

tknd 

evo 

the 

sen 

poii 


greater  part 
rere  made  to 
ven  in  quick 
me  unintel- 
w  that  there 
ment.    The 
he  tow-line, 
overhauled, 
0  be  let  go. 
brmed  when 
nly  or  thirty 
ith  of  water, 
parts  over- 
may  be  no 
id  when  the 
a  single  rope, 
rage  and  the 
and  the  ship 
jite  calm  we 
3  anchorage ; 
e  pride  and 
:well.    This 
nd  squaring 
le  command 
}me  distance 
,  that  a  good 
ppearance  of 
iwing-room ; 
itical  skill  is 
than  the 
in  port, 
order,  as  a 
set  with  four 
It  is  not 
more  than 
a  large  crew 
vete  so  regu- 
gteetk  hands 
I  board  with 


» 
hor 


rs, 


mmi^m 


"•miWWWiP 


mmmmimmm 


UFB   ON  THE  OCEAN. 


the.  exception  of  the  captain  and  surgeon,  and  as  the 
ship  was  to  go  to  sea  the  next  day,  we  expected  them 
off  at  daylight  Eight  bells  were  now  struck,  and  the 
first  anchor  watch  being  called,  took  their  stations  two 
aft  and  two  forward.  Being  one  of  this  number,  I 
heard  tnti  order  given  by  the  pilot  to  the  watch,  to  let 
him  know  if  any  change  of  wind,  or  weather  took  place 
during  the  night,  and  especially  to  call  him  at  4  o'clock. 
Very  soon  a  profound  silence  reigned  throughout  the 
ship,  and  I  was  left  to  my  own  reflections.  The  bustle 
of  the  day,  had  prevented  m^  from  noting  the  change  of 
life  that,  I  had  voluntarily  chosen ;  and  now  that  all  was 
hushed  into  repose,  the  contrast  brought  to  mind,  I  found 
that  I  was  about  to  leave  friends,  and  all  the  social  com- 
forts of  home,  to  mix  with  a  society  of  men,  who,  as  I  had 
heard,  were  of  the  very  worst  habits  and  character,  and 
confine  myself  to  the  narrow  limits  of  a  ship's  deck  for 
months.  And  then  again  the  equivocal  humoiu  of  the 
second  officer  came  forcibly  to  my  recollection,  which 
gave  me  reason  to  believe  that  I  should  not  pass  a  very 
pleasant  time  with  him  during  this  cruise.  But  it  was 
now  too  late  to  think  of  retreating  from  my  position,  and 
besides  pride  and  ambition  came  to  my  aid,  and  1  re- 
solved to  do  the  best  I  could,  and  follow  out  the  bent  of 
my  inclination.  The  night  was  calm  throughout,  and 
with  the  exception  of  my  watch  on  deck,  I  slept  soundly 
uutil^  roused  by  the  shrUl  whistle  and  hoarse  cry  of  the 
boatswain,  "all  hands  a-hoy !"  when  we  were  soon  on 
deck.  But  as  it  was  entirely  calm  and  the  captain  and 
surgeon  were  not  yet  on  board,  of  course  we  did"  not  get 
under  weigh ;  the  usual  routine  of  work  then  com- 
menced, such  as  rigging  the  head  pump,  washing  down 
the  decks  and  sides  of  the  ship,  swabbing,  6cc.  This 
latter  was  a  duty  wholly  consigned  to  the  green  hands, 
bzd  consequently  I  had  my  share  of  it.  To  make  this 
evolution  intelligible  to  my  readers  I  may  state,  that  it  is 
the  same  operation  that  a  woman  performs  after  she  has 
scrubbed  the  floor,  wiping  it  dry  with  a  cloth,  the  only 
point  of  diflerence  is  that  it  is  done  on  board  of  a  ship 


LIFE  ON  THE   OCEAN. 

with  a  bundle  of  rope-yarns  tied  snugly  together,  with 
a  piece  of  rope  in  the  end  for  a  handle. 

The  weather  still  remaining  calm,  the  ship's  compoDy 
were  employed  in  the  necessary  work  of  a  ship  previously 
to  her  going  to  sea,  such  as  getting  studding-sail-booms 
on  the  yards,  reeving  the  geer,  and  seizing  on  the 
chafing  mats,  &.c.  &.c.  Abouf  >nid-day  the  captain  and 
surgeon  came  on  board,  and  i.  may  not  be  amiss  in  this 

Elace  to  make  the  reader  acquainted  with  the  ship  and 
etcrew. 
The  ship  then  was  about  six  hundred  tons  burthen, 


completely  fitted 


voyage,  one  hundred 


and  eight  souls  composed  her  crew,  eighteen  of  whom 
were  ofllcers,  sixty  able  seamen,  and  thirty  green  hands ; 
mounting  twenty-six  guns,  nine  and  twelve  pounds 
calibre.  Capt.  W.  was  about  fifty  years  of  age,  stout 
and  robust,  moral  in  his  deportment,  with  great  urbanity 
and  mildness  of  manners,  and  of  high  repute  in  his  pro- 
fession. Indeed  he  appeared  to  be  more  like  the  father, 
of  a  family  on  board  of  his  ship  than  one  who  has  the 
right  to  exercise  supreme  command.  During  the  whole 
voyage  he  was  in  all  respects  a  cool  and  intrepid  com- 
mander, as  well  as  an  honourable  and  feeling  man. 
The  chief  officer,  Mr.  L ,  was  a  man  of  some  intelli- 
gence, master  of  his  profession,  but  very  passionate  and 
vindictive — he  would  make  every  man  toe  the  mark,  as 
the  sailors  used  to  say;  he  acted  rather  as  a  sailing- 
master,  and  great  confidence  Avas  reposed  in  him  by  the 
captain.  The  second  officer,  Mr.  O.  of  whom  I  have 
had  occasion  to  speak,  was  as  Ave  might  say  of  a  dia- 
mond, a  salt  of  the  first  Avater.  He  was  of  low  stature, 
thick,  and  strongly  built,  had  a  face  which  looked  as  if 
it  had  been  pelted  by  many  a  storm,  Avith  a  strong  mus- 
cular arm,  and  a  fist  Avhich  might  strike  a  blow  equal  to 
that  of  a  sledge-hammer  -,  he  wa*;  about  forty-five  years 
of  age,  with  a  constitution  .ha*  had  not  yielded  to  the 
hardships  of  a  sailor's  life,  and  as  the  sailors  used  to  say, 
he  was  as  good  a  seaman,  as  evef  took  marlinspike  in 
hand.    The  third  officer,  Mr.  K.  about  twenty-six  years 


o 
a 
ii 

SI 

h 

A* 

ir 

81 

tl< 

ei 

I 

ol 

si 

th 

be 

w 

m 

sti 

of 

lei 

go 

w< 

so: 

nu 

fin 

he 

vei 

thi 

Dc 

bei 

we 

we 

hei 

«dc 

ex{ 

at  ( 

an<j 

had 


■^P«miwvtaw<«wwi 


wwpn 


"P" 


LIFE   ON  THE   OCEAN. 


33 


>gether,  ^th 

ip's  company 
ip  previously 
ig-sail-booms 
zing  on  the 
)  captain  and 
amiss  in  this 
the  ship  and 

tons  burthen, 
one  hundred 
len  of  whom 
green  hands ; 
reive  pounds 
of  age,  stout 
jreat  urbanity 
ite  in  his  pro- 
ike  the  father, 
I  who  has  the 
ng  the  whole 
intrepid  corn- 
feeling  man. 
■  some  intelli- 
isionate  and 
i  mark,  as 
as  a  sailing- 
him  by  the 
hom  I  have 
lay  of  a  dia- 
low  stature, 
looked  as  if 
strong  mus- 
)low  equal  to 
rty-five  years 
[ielded  to  the 
used  to  say, 
larlinspike  in 
jnty-siz  years 


of  age,  had  served  a  regular  apprenticeship  to  the  sea, 
and  was  an  active  seaman,  rather  intelli^nt,  but  exceed* 
ingly  jealous  of  his  authority,  and  used  it  on  every  occa- 
sion ;  although  he  was  obsequious  to  the  last  degree,  to 
his  superior  officers.  Such  then  were  the  officers  under 
whom  I  was  destined  to  serve  for  three  long  years. 

The  first  day  wore  away,  without  any  material  change 
in  the  weather,  consequently  we  had  to  lie  still;  after 
8up(>er  all  hands  crowded  below  into  the  two  forecas- 
tles, separated  only  by  a  partition  grating ;  having  but  one 
entrance  to  both  apartments  from  the  deck.  And  now 
1  had  an  opportunity  of  becoming  acquainted  with  some 
of  the  peculiar  habits  of  seamen,  for  while  some  were 
singing  songs,  others  were  ''spinning  long  yarns,''  as 
they  called  them — there  were  others  sitiing  round  a 
bottle  of  rum  drinking  healths  to  sweethearts  and 
wives ;  while  in  one  corner  might  be  seen  a  group  of 
men,  listening  with  profound  attention  to  the  super- 
stitious tales  of  an  old  salt.  "Jack,"  said  a  sailor,  to  one 
of  the  men  who  sat  near  me,  who,  as  I  afterwards 
learned  was  an  old  man-of-war's-man,  "what  are  we 
going  to  do  with  all  them  shooting-irons,  on  the  North- 
west Coast."  "Hark-ye  Bill,"  said  Jack,  "you  are  a 
soft  tommy,  do  you  think  them  copper-coloured  gentle- 
men are  going  to  wear  them  silk  stockings,  and  dl  that 
fine  rigj^ing,  we  hoisted  in  the  other  day?  No,  no,"  said 
he,  rolling  his  quid  over  to  the  other  side,  and  looking 
very  knowingly  at  Bill,  "I  will  bet  you  a  week's  grog, 
that  all  them  fine  things  are  for  the  ladies  of  the  Spanish 
Don,  yonder,  and  them  there  shooting-irons  are  just  to 
bear  off  the  Spanish  cruisers."  Just  then  eight  bells 
were  struck,  anchor  watch  called,  and  the  same  orders 
were  given  as  on  the  previous  night ;  and  presently  I 
heard  a  strange  exclamation  from  the  boatswain,  of 
"dowse  the  glim  there  below,"  which  is  the  technical 
expression  for  putting  out  the  light.  We  were  roused 
at  daylight  next  morning  by  the  same  shri'l  whistle, 
and  the  cry  of  "all  hands,  up  anchor  a-hoy."  The  wind 
had  sprung  up  lightly  from  the  northward,  and  we 


.  I  li  immli  itoti  li 


1  f  i 


LIFB   ON  THE   OCEAN. 

commenced  the  work  of  gettinff  under  way ;  not  as  ia 
UHual  in  merchr.nt  vessels,  by  heaving  the  anchor  up 
with  the  windlass,  but  by  the  capstan.  This  is  per- 
formed by  tlie  use  of  a  ro[)e,  which  is  called  a  messenger, 
one  end  of  which,  the  standing  part,  is  made  fast  to 
a  ring-bolt,  or  some  other  secure  place ;  the  other  end 
being  rove  through  a  block  which  is  made  fast  to  the 
cable,  and  then  taken  to  the  capstan,  and  in  this  way 
the  anchor  is  hove  up  more  expeditiously.  The  sails 
were  now  loosed  and  quickly  set,  the  yards  braced  so 
as  to  cant  the  ship  to  port ;  and  we  were  soon  under 
way,  with  top-guUantsails  set,  standing  down  Boston 
Bay,  and  bidding  adieu  to  my  native  land.  I  sighed 
ami  turned  away,  and  at  the  same  moment  I^eard  the 
pilot  call  out  to  loose  the  royals.  On  board  oi  merchant 
vessels  loosing  and  fiuling  the  light  sails  i  i  the  duty  of 
the  boys  ;  so  I  sprung  into  the  mizzen  rigging,  and  got 
on  the  royal  yard,  loosed  the  sail,  which  was  quickly 
set ;  this  was  my  first  feat  of  seamansliip,  and  1  felt  no 
Utile  pride  after  it  was  accomplished. 

The  wind  continuing  liglit,  we  set  studding-sails 
alow  and  alofl,  but  as  we  approached  Nantasket  R4^)ads, 
tlie  wind  hauled  round  to  the  eastward,  and  we  came 
to  an  anchor  at  3  p.  m.  and  v<ok  this  opportunity  to 
house  the  guns,  which  means  running  them  in  board 
and  placing  them  fore  and  ati,  and  securing  them,  as 
well  as  the  long  boat,  spars,  &c.  &c.  At  6  p.  m.  all 
hands  were  summoned  aft,  the  watches  were  chosen, 
and  the  men  stationed.  On  board  of  a  ship  the  crew  is 
equally  divided  into  two  watches,  which  by  way  of 
distinction,  are  called  the  starboard  and  larboard  watches ; 
each  watch  serving  four  hours,  excepting  from  4  to  8 
p.  M.  this  is  divided  into  two  watches  called  by  sailors 
the  dog  watch.  The  starboard  watch  fell  to  my  lot,  and 
here  I  was  again  with  my  old  friend,  the  second  officer 
Mr.  C.  After  this  was  finished  the  Captain  addressed 
the  crew  as  fallows — "now  my  men  we  are  under  way 
for  a  long,  and  perhaps  a  perilous  voyage,  and  I  expect 
every  man  on  board  will  obey  the  discipline  of  this 


t 

t 

I 
t 

I 

t( 

/ 

V 

d 

I 

h 
it 
di 

h) 
m 
m 
pr 
so 
dii 
ha 
mi 
fre 
pr( 
sh 
of 
dis 

wli 

doi 

in 

am 

o'cl 

her 

to 

An 

hui 

%vh 


■ ;  not  as  is 
anchor  up 
['his  is  per- 
inessengor, 
lado  fast  to 
e  other  end 
B  fast  to  the 
in  this  way 
The  sails 
8  braced  so 
soon  under 
[)wn  Boston 
I,     1  sighed 
it  'reard  the 
01  merchant 
J  the  duty  of 
[ing,  and  got 
was  quickly 
and  1  felt  no 

udding-sails 
asket  ftt>ads, 
nd  we  caiiie 
>portunity  to 
iin  in  board 
g  them,  as 
6  p.  M.  all 
ere  chosen, 
the  crew  is 
by  way  of 
■d  watches ; 
)m  4  to  8 
by  sailors 
my  lot,  and 
iecond  officer 
n  addressed 
under  way 
nd  1  expect 
•line  of  this 


''»•«■■*»*•••* 


LIFE   ON   THE    OCEAN. 


30 


ship,  by  conducting  himself  with  proper  respect  toward 
the  officers,  and  do  his  duty."  Then  addressmg  himself 
particularly  to  the  old  sailors,  .«;aid,  "I  cannot  allow  you 
to  take  advantage,  or  iinjHiso  up<^ii  the  b«»ys ;  for  they 
have  come  on  board  this  ship  without  any  pretensions 
to  .seanianship,and  are  as  green  as  you  were  before  them." 
And  turning  to  the  lads,  he  said,  "be  obedient,  endea- 
vour to  become  good  seamen,  njid  if  there  are  any  who 
desire  to  learn  navigation,  the  gentlemen  aft  will  instruct 
yon,  and  yon  have  permission  to  come  aft  in  your  watch 
below  whenever  the  weather  will  iicrniit,"  and  raising 
his  voice  said,  "you  are  to  have  watch  and  watch,  and 
it  will  be  your  own  fault  if  that  regulation  is  altered 
during  the  voyage." 

December  7,  1S07. — Early  the  next  morning  the  wind 
hauled  to  the  west-north-west,  and  we  got  under  way, 
made  sail,  and  stretched  out  to  sea.  The  wind  being 
moderate  and  the  sea  smooth,  we  made  but  slow 
progress.  At  meridian,  Cape  Cod  light-house  bore 
south  by  east,  distant  15  miles.  At  4  p.  m.  the  land 
disappeared,  having  sunk  in  the  distance.  The  ship 
having  as  yet  but  httle  motion,  I  felt  nothing  of  the  so 
much  dreaded  sea-sickness,  but  at  6  o'clock  the  wind 
freshened  and  obliged  us  to  take  in  our  light  sails,  and 
presently  the  sea  rose,  and  the  increased  motion  of  the 
ship  put  to  flight  all  my  hopes  of  escaping  the  usual  lot 
of  a  green  hand,  for  I  now  began  to  feel  an  unusual 
disturbance  about  the  region  of  the  stomach. 

At  8  p.  M.  the  wind  had  increased  to  a  moderate  gale, 
which  caused  us  to  take  in  the  top-gallantsails,  *and 
double  reef  the  topsails.  As  before  stated,  1  was  chosen 
in  the  starboard  watch  with  the  second  officer,  Mr.  C. 
and  as  it  was  our  first  watch  on  deck,  viz.  from  8 
o'clock  to  midnight,  I  of  course  was  among  the  num- 
ber. Not  feeling  very  pleasantly,  I  was  scarcely  able 
to  keep  my  feet  from  tne  violent  motion  of  the  ship. 
An  order  at  this  time  was  given  to  brace  the  yards ; 
hurrying  aft  I  had  reached  as  far  as  the  companion, 
when  with  a  sudden  roll  of  the  ship  I  lost  my  equili- 


'^H-'* 


LIFE   ON  THE   OCEAN. 

brium,  the  concusHtoi!  of  the  fall  made  tne  dischargp.  the 
whole  contonta  of  injr  stomach  on  the  weather  side  of 
the  quarter  deck.  This  waa  a  mortal  offence,  especially 
as  sailors  are  not  allowed  to  go  to  the  weather  side  of 
the  quarter  deck  at  sea.  "Hallo,"  cried  Mr.  C.  "lost  your 
sea-legs,  hey?  recollect  sir,  there  is  nothing  hove  on  the 
weather  side  but  hot  water  and  ashes ;  away  forward 
and  get  a  swab."  This  bein^  done  in  a  bungling  way 
he  took  hold  of  me  by  the  ann,  not  in  a  very  pleasant 
mood,  and  led  me  to  the  main  rigging;  there  placing  the 
end  of  the  reef-tack  in  my  hand,  a  two  and  a  half  inch 
rope,  said,  "there  sir,  if  you  don't  know  the  names  of  all 
these  ropes  by  the  time  the  watch  is  up,  I  will  give  you 
the  end  of  this  on  your  back."  If  his  former  harangue, 
when  I  was  getting  my  chest  on  board,  made  a  sensible 
impression,  this  last  threat  made  a  much  deeper  one,  for 
I  not  only  knew  the  names  of  the  ropes  by  the  time 
specified,  but  the  sickness  left  me  in  about  an  hour,  and 
after  that  time  1  was  never  troubled  with  it  again. 


discharge  the 
uather  siilo  of 
ce,  eapecially 
Buther  side  of 
C.  "lost  your 
[  hove  on  the 
,way  forward 
ungUng  way 
^ery  pleasant 
e  placing  the 
il  a  half  inch 
I  names  of  nil 
will  give  you 
ler  haranguti, 
de  a  sensible 
seper  one,  for 
1  by  the  time 
an  hour,  and 
,  again. 


K|l>^S^_     _ 


CHA1>TER    HI. 

COKTIKUi.fCt    or    THt     DALE— tlTPB H.TlTtOlf    OF    S*ir.ORi_«I». 
HI»B    AT    BEA— CHOMINO   Tl'i.    i.iNB,   ftC. 

At  midMight  the  larboard  or  chief  mate's  watch  was 
called, and  the  starboard  wjitch  ordered  below.    The  wind 
conlnnied  to  increase  until  it  blew  o  strong  gale  which 
obliged  us  to  close  reef  the  topsails,  the  ship  bounding 
turiously  through  the  water,  the  sea  dashing  against  the 
bows  made  a  noise  like  a  roaring  cataract ;  so  that  what 
with  sickness  of  the  green  ha.ids,  the  oaths  and  impre- 
.  catKMis  of  the  sailors,  and   the   noise  caused  by  the 
breaknig  of  the  water  forward,  together  with  the  offen- 
sive snrell  of  the  bilge  water,  and  the  confined  air  of  a 
ship  s  jorecastle,  sleen  entirely  forsook  me  during  the 
whole  four  hours,  and  it  Avas  a  great  relief  when  I  heard 
the  boatswain's  mate  call  the  starbrord  watch.    I  soon  • 
made  my  appearance  on  deck,  and  the  scene  which 
presented  itselt;  to  my  view  was  frightful  and  yet  aw- 
ully  grand.     The  ship  -  ,s  now  scudding  before  the 
^"J'^} /"h  close  reelod     ore  and   main-topr^r^ils,  and 
reefed  foresail,  m  the  gulf  stream,  at  the  rate  of  eleven 
miles  per  hour  ;   and  the  waves  to  my  highly  wrou«ht 
imagination  were  running  mountains  high 

^elh^^A^  r*  T^^X  ';"»^^  "^y  ''««""Ss  when  the  officer 
of  the  deck  ordered  1 1 ,«  royal  yards  to  be  sent  down      It 

was  with  some  difR.uIty  1  reached  the  after  part  of  the 

ship,  and  attempted  to  get  in  the  mizzen  rigging,  but  the 

officer  seeing  my  awkwardness  and  fbarin|lest  I  -Iiould 

tumWe  overboard,  ordered  me  do-vn.    The  yards  were 

qmckly  sent  down,  and  eveiv  thing  made  snug,  and  the 

usual  work  of  the  morning,  such  as  washingXks! 

tnmuiing  sails,  «fcc.  performed.    It  may  not  be  tmiss  to 

4* 


-««Kiiimn.iiirm»iH-« 


'.JTSSSSM^SSK^tnf  m  nmauis:^imt^ 


I'     I 


H 


38  LIFE   ON  THE   OCEAN. 

Slate  in  this  place,  that  this  ship  differed  fiom  the  gene- 
rality of  merchant  vessels,  on  account  of  her  armament 
and  large  crew,  the  men  were  all  regularly  stationed  as 
on  board  of  a  man-of-war.  There  were  the  after-giiard, 
waisters,  forecastle-men,  and  topnien  ;  and  never  unless 
on  some  very  extraordinary  occasion,  were  all  hands 
called.  Tins  is  not  the  case  with  merchantmen  in 
general,  for  on  every  occasion  to  reef,  or  take  in  sail,  or 
any  other  extra  duty  all  the  ship's  company  must  be 
at  work ;  and  I  have  known  on  board  of  some  ships, 
all  hands  to  be  called  half  a  dozen  times  in  a  watch. 
Seven  bells  were  now  struck,  the  larboard  watch  Avas 
called,  and  the  boatswain  piped  to  breakfast.  This  was 
not  a  very  comfortable  meal,  for  I  had  not  fairly  got  my 
sea-legs  on,  and  did  not  care  to  risk  my  head  in  going 
to  the  caboose,  to  get  my  tin  pot  of  coffee. 

At  8  A.  M.  the  sea  became  more  regular,  consequently 
the  ship  had  less  motion ;  the  watch  below  turned  in 
while  the  larboard  watch  performed  the  duties  of  the 
ship. 

December  9. — The  wind  had  now  become  more  mode- 
rate, but  as  we  were  in  the  southern  edge  of  the  gulf 
stream,  there  was  yet  a  heavy  cross  sea.  Innumerable 
iwrpoises  were  scampering  away  towards  the  north-east 
like  a  herd  of  deer  with  a  pack  of  hounds  on  their  trail ; 
and  I  heard  some  of  the  men  say,  that  we  should  be  sure 
to  have  a  blow  from  that  quarter,  for  sailors  have  a  sign 
in  every  thing,  and  no  people  in  the  world  are  more  su- 
perstitiously  inclined.  I  once  heard  an  old  seaman  say 
that  he  belonged  to  a  ship,  in  which  during  the  previous 
voyage  a  man  had  been  murdered,  and  he  roundly  af- 
firmed, that  he  saw  the  ghost  of  that  man  in  the  shape 
of  a  rat,  come  out  of  the  forecastle,  and  go  up  the  main- 
stay into  the  top ;  and  this  Avas  done  he  said  every  night 
at  12  o'clock  precisely,  and  although  the  crew  supposed 
they  had  killed  it  several  times,  yet  the  rat  continued  to 
go  up  the  main-stay  during  the  whole  voyage.  The 
north-east  blow,  however,  as  predicted  by  the  course 
of  the  porpoises,  did  not  come,  for  the  wind  continued  to 


I 
t 
a 

ti 
a 

n 
f( 

s] 
w 

T 

ra 
N 
of 
th 
so 
to 

th 

de 
ws 

wi 
th< 
he 

SU] 

aft( 
tioi 
fini 
loo 
rin^ 

WCi 

spe 
sail 
Ion, 
and 
em] 
the) 
Z 
thn 
the 


(tn  the  gene- 
er  armament 

stationed  as 
!  after-giiard, 
never  unless 
re  all  hands 
ihantmen  in 
ike  in  sail,  or 
iny  must  be 
F  some  ships, 

in  a  watch, 
d  watch  was 
t.  This  was 
fairly  got  my 
lead  in  going 

consequently 
3W  turned  in 
duties  of  the 


l-WAli 


be  more  mode- 
;e  of  the  gulf 
Innumerable 
the  north-east 
on  their  trail  •, 
hould  be  sure 
s  have  a  sign 
are  more  su- 
seaman  say 
the  previous 
roundly  af- 
in  the  shape 
up  the  main- 
Id  every  night 
(rew  supposed 
continued  to 
royage.    The 
)y  the  course 
continued  to 


LIFE   ON  THE   OCEAK. 


39 


blow  from  west-north-west  until  the  14th.  The  wea- 
ther now  became  passably  fine,  royal  yards  were  sent 
aloft,  and  all  the  canvass  spread  on  the  ship.  By  this 
time  I  had  become  used  to  the  motion  of  the  ship,  and 
as  sailors  say  "had  my  sea-legs  on ;"  and  as  1  had  pretty 
well  lined  my  ribs  with  salt  beef,  biscuits,  and  coffee,  I 
not  only  became  stronger,  but  in  much  better  spirits,  and 
felt  determined  to  acquire  a  knowledge  of  seamanship  as 
speedily  as  possible.  I  therefore  felt  a  degree  of  pride 
when  I  could  get  aloft  first  to  loose  or  furl  the  light  sails. 
The  second  officer  I  suppose  having  observed  this,  got 
me  promoted  from  the  after-guard  to  the  mizzen-top. 
Nothing  material  transpired  to  interrupt  the  monotony 
of  a  sea  life  until  the  17th,  when  I  heard  a  cry  from 
the  main-topgallant  yard  of  "sail  ho !"  This  was  a 
source  of  excitement  to  all  hands,  but  of  great  delight 
to  me,  who  had  not  as  yet  seen  any  other  vessel  in 
the  wide  ocean  but  our  own.  We  descried  her  firom  the 
deck,  standing  across  our  larboard  quarter  to  the  west- 
ward, at  too  great  a  distance  to  speak. 

December  I8th. — The  wind  hauled  to  the  south-west 
with  warm  pleasant  weather.  Every  one  belonging  to 
the  watch  on  deck  being  variously  employed,  I  could  not 
help  but  remark  how  much  I  had  been  deceived,  for  I 
supposed  that  there  would  be  no  work  on  board  of  a  ship 
after  leaving  port  until  her  arrival  at  the  place  of  destina- 
tion ;  and  consequently  I  thought  sailors  must  have  ai 
fine  time,  with  nothing  to  do  but  eat,  drink,  sleep,  and 
look  out.  The  very  reverse  however  is  the  fact,  tor  du- 
ring the  three  years'  cruise,  I  never  knew,  except  in  bad 
weather,  any  man  belonging  to  the  watch  on  deck  to 
spend  an  idle  moment ;  and  it  may  well  be  said  that  a 
sailor's  work,  like  a  woman's,  is  never  done ;  and  on 
long  voyages  particularly,  when  the  crew  have  watch 
and  watch,  it  seems  to  be  necessary  that  they  should  be 
employed  at  work  in  their  watch  on  deck,  in  order  that 
their  health  may  be  preserved. 

December  2lsL — Nothing  material  occurred  these  last- 
three  days.  This  morning  was  my  watch  on  deck,  and 
the  weather  being  perfectly  clear,  with  a  smooth  sea,  I 


1 


m 


^ki 


if 


;l  / 


■I 


'"'MijimiMpiimtittiiBi', 


I 

I 


M 


.l.f 


i^ 


f' 


40 


LIFE   ON  THE   OCEAN. 


had  a  delightful  opportunity  of  beholding  the  sun  rise 
at  sea.  This  was  a  sight  f  had  long  coveted,  because  I 
had  heard  much  about  it,  and  although  it  has  been  stud 
that  the  scene  wants  the  accompanying  beauties  of  the 
landscape,  singing  of  birds,  <fcc.  yet  to  my  mind,  to 
behold  the  sun  rising  from  beneath  a  well  defined 
horizon,  in  majestic  splendor,  when  there  is  not  a  cloud 
to  be  seen  in  the  blue  arched  canopy  of  the  heavens, 
while  the  eye  ranges  over  the  interminable  waste  of 
waters ;  not  only  surpasses  in  beauty  the  rising  of  the 
sun  on  shorr,  but  it  also  inspires  the  beholder  with  a 
feeling  ot  the  most  profound  awe  and  reverence  in  the 
contemplation  of  that  Almighty  Being,  who  has  made 
and  upholds  all  things  by  the  word  of  his  power. 

December  23. — The  ship  having  now  ran  far  enough 
to  tlie  eastward  to  make  the  north-east  trade  winds  fair 
for  ferossing  the  equinoctial  line,  Ave  were  in  a  proper 
position  so  that  when  we  took  the  south-east  trade  winds, 
we  might  be  far  enougli  to  the  eastward  to  weather  away 
Cape  St.  Roque,  and  have  plenty  of  sea  room.  Our 
position  then  was  30°  north  latitude  and  38°  west  longi- 
tude, when  we  bore  away  to  the  southward,  and  in  two 
days,  that  is  on  the  25th,  we  took  the  north-east  trade 
winds  in  latitude  26°  40'  N.  The  weather  had  now 
become  steady,  and  the  wind  uniform,  many  of  the  young 
men  on  board,  wrote  up  their  journals  from  the  ship's  log- 
book, and  were  taught  navigation  as  well  as  the  use  ot 
the  quadrant,  by  the  first  officer,  Mr.  L. 

It  would  have  been  a  curious  spectacle  for  any  lands- 
man, as  it  was  to  nte,  to  have  seen  the  various  employ- 
ment, which  were  now  in  operation.  On  one  side  of  the 
deck  the  carpenter  and  his  mates  were  building  a  boat ; 
on  the  other,  the  boatswain  and  his  crew  were  laying  up 
rope ;  on  the  leeward  side  of  the  quarter  deck  the  sail- 
maker  and  his  gang  were  repairing  and  making  light 
sails;  while  the  remaining  part  of  the  watch  were  knot- 
ting yarns,  making  sinnef,  wads,  wad-bags,  &c.  Our 
ship  by  this  time  had  become  completely  disciplined, 
the  crew  were  divided  into  messes  of  six  each,  one  of 


'^■'-'~" .y      ■|,||-rtM--iiiiinriii    ■■      I 


wh 

an( 

ofi 

sio] 

cas 

was 

I 

det 

ma] 

is  V 

wat 

the 

seld 

shi}: 

ho\« 

and 

cap) 

oftl 

Iog-1 

ofth 

and 

seco 

in  fo 

is  nc 

marl 

T] 

of  o 

Bein 

the  ^ 

the  I 

ship'i 

ship 

ten  0 

meric 

W. 

north 

oppor 

tion, 

This 


ipw^'"^'" 


the  sun  rise 
id,  because  I 
as  been  said 
auties  of  the 
ny  mind,  to 
nrell  defined 
s  not  a  cloud 
the  heavens, 
ible  waste  of 
rising  of  the 
older  with  a 
jrence  in  the 
ho  has  made 
power. 

lu  far  enough 
de  winds  fair 
3  in  a  proper 
t  trade  winds, 
kveather  away 
I  room.  Our 
i°  west  longi- 
3,  and  in  two 
rth-east  trade 
her  had  now 
r  of  the  young 
the  ship's  log- 
as  the  use  ot 

or  any  lands- 
ious  employ- 
ne  side  of  the 

ding  a  boat ; 
rere  laying  up 

eck  the  sail- 
making  light 
ch  were  knot- 
,  dec.  Our 
discipHned, 

each,  one  of 


LIFE   ON  THE   OCEAN. 


41 


whom  regularly  drew  every  day  the  rations  of  provisions 
and  water  for  the  mess ;  it  being  the  duty  of  the  officer 
of  the  watch  to  attend  to  the  serving  out  of  the  provi- 
sions and  water  every  morning,  at  which  time  a  large 
cask  which  was  called  a  scuttle-but,  secured  on  deck, 
was  filled  up. 

Having  now  become  somewhat  acquainted  with  the 
details  of  a  ship,  as  well  as  the  duty  of  the  officers,  it 
may  be  proper  to  remark  here,  that  the  captain,  in  whom 
is  vested  supreme  command  and  great  power,  stands  no 
watch ;  he  navigates  the  ship  and  dispenses  orders  to 
the  first  officer,  which  are  executed  accordingly.  He 
seldom  gives  an  order  to  a  sailor,  and  on  board  of  this 
ship,  the  captain  scarcely  ever  tacked  the  ship.  This 
however  is  not  the  case  with  vessels  of  less  burthen 
and  a  smaller  crew,  for  it  sometimes  happeps  that  the 
captain  has  to  stand  his  watch  and  carry  on  the  details 
of  the  ship.  The  duty  of  the  first  officer  is  to  write  the 
Iq^-book,  in  which  all  the  transactions  and  occurrences 
oithe  voyage  are  noted ;  he  takes  account  of  the  cargo, 
and  is  accountable  for  loss,  bad  stowage,  (fcc.  The 
second  officer  keeps  the  captain's  watch,  stows  the  cargo 
in  foreign  ports,  and  has  under  his  charge,  when  there 
is  no  boatswain,  the  spare  rigging,  blocks,  marlinspikes, 
marliug,  spun-yarn,  &c. 

The  third  officer  on  board  of  our  ship,  during  a  part 
of  our  voyage  at  least,  was  a  kind  of  midshipman. 
Being  in  the  first  officer's  watch,  he  generally  passed 
the  word,  overlooked  the  men  while  at  work,  hove 
the  log,  &c.  The  log  and  line  is  that  by  which  the 
ship's  run  is  calculated,  and  was  hove  on  board  of  our 
ship  every  hour,  and  marked  on  the  slate,  which  is  writ- 
ten off  by  the  chief  mate  on  the  log-book  each  day  at 
meridian,  when  the  weather  permits. 

We  continued  our  run  to  the  southward  with  a  fine 
north-east  trade  wind,  until  the  30th,  when  I  had  an 
opportunity  of  seeing  the  officers  take  a  lunar  observa- 
tion, to  determine  the  longitude,  which  was  31°  west. 
This  part  of  navigation  1  nad  a  strong  desire  to  learn 


JWIWHH 


42 


LIFE   ON  THE   OCEAN. 


J'!* 


and  determined  to  make  myself  a  lunarian  ere  the  voy- 
age should  close. 

As  we  were  now  approaching  the  equinoctial  line, 
being  in  12°  north  latitude,  the  wind  became  lighter, 
and  I  heard  a  faint  buzzing  among  the  old  salts,  about 
the  visit  of  old  Neptune  to  h's  children,  which  I  then 
believed  was  no  farce,  until  ocular  demonstration  con- 
vinced me,  as  will  hereafter  be  shown. 

January  3rf.— The  wind  now  had  become  very  light 
and  variable,  and  the  weather  squally.  As  we  expect- 
ed to  have  much  rain,  preparations  were  made  to  fill 
up  our  water-casks,  and  m  this  we  were  not  disappoint- 
ed, for  on  the  morning  of  the  5th  January,  when  in  lati- 
tude 3°  north,  it  commenced  to  rain  at  8  o'clock,  and 
did  not  cease,  only  at  short  intervals,  the  whole  day, 
during  which  time  we  caught  2000  gallons  of  water. 
After  this  the  wind  on  the  6th  sprung  up  moderately 
from  south -south-east,  when  we  braced  up  our  yards  on 
the  larboard  tack,  and  as  we  expected  to  cross  the  line  the 
next  night,  preparations  were  being  made  tor  the  recep- 
tion of  old  Neptune ;  such  as  dressing  two  of  the 
oldest  sailors  to  personate  him  and  his  wife  -,  throwing 
over  a  tar  barrel  on  fire  j  and  hailing  the  sea-god  from 
on  board. 

All  this  buffoonery  was  performed  afler  dark,  and  so 
managed  as  to  be  kept  a  secret  from  the  green  hands. 

And  here  I  must  not  omit  stating,  that  this  foolery 
'was  sanctioned  by  the  captain  and  officers,  very  much 
to  their  niortification  afterwards,  as  the  scene  of  confu- 
sion which  ensued,  had  like  to  have  closed  with  a 
mutiny.  On  the  next  morning,  the  8th,  the  play  began ; 
the  green  hands  were  confinecf  ii.  'le  forecastle,  one  at  a 
time  being  sent  up  blindfolded,  who  was  then  received  by 
his  majesty  of  the  sea,  and  the  operation  of  shaving 
commenced. 

The  lather  consisted  of  slush  mixed  >»ith  the  dirty 
water  of  the  grindstone  tub ;  the  razor  was  a  piece  of 
old  iron  hoop;  the  fece  being  well  besmeared  with  this 
lather,  the  work  of  shaving  conMuenced,  during  which 


in  ere  the  voy- 

^uinoctial  line, 
became  lighter, 
)ld  salts,  about 
,  which  I  then 
lonstration  cop- 

lome  very  light 
As  we  expect- 
re  made  to  fill 
not  disappoint- 
y,  when  in  lati- 
8  o'clock,  and 
the  whole  day, 
illons  of  water, 
up  moderately 
up  our  yards  on 
!ross  the  line  the 
e  tor  the  recep- 
ng  two  of  the 
wife  -,  throwing 
he  sea-god  firom 

Br  dark,  and  |io 
le  green  hands, 
hat  this  foolery 
;ers,  very  much 
scene  of  confu- 
i  closed  with  a 
,  the  play  began; 
recastle,oneat  a 
then  received  by 
tion  of  shaving 

\^th  the  dirty 

was  a  piece  of 

leared  with  this 

I,  during  which 


•PMia 


"*^1 


LIFE   ON  THE   OCEAN. 


43 


soon  forgotten.  Thi!  Zv  n^ ^  -a-''  ^"*>^'  '^^  ^^ 
20'  so„th%f  the  line  having  cr^ssTifinV  1  "^T  '" 
Uuie,  making  the  ^sage ^inrnt;.^^ dTyl'S 


H     l' 


15 


CHAPTER    IV. 

MOON   KISi:    AT   8EA— HRAVr   8<ICALL»— ROUNDIMO    CAPE    HORK— 
KXCURSION   IN    SEARCH    OF    WATER,   ftC.   *C. 

January  10.— Saw  this  morning  great  numbers  of  boni- 
ta  and  albacora,  round  the  ship,  not  unwelcome  visitors, 
as  many  of  the  former,  and  some  of  ihe  latter  were 
taken,  which  gave  all  hands  a  fresh  mess,  always  a 
irreat  luxury  to  the  salted  stomach  of  a  sailor,  who  is 
sometimes  fifty  or  sixty  days  with  salt  beef  one  day  and 
salt  pork  the  next    In  this  ship,  however,  there  was  an 
exception,  flour  being  served  out  to  each  mess  evcnr 
Sabbath  day  to  make  pudding,  or  as  sailors  callit"dutt. 
The  trade  wind  being  fixed  at  south-east  and  the 
weather  surpassingly  fine,  this  favourable  opportumty 
was  taken  for  getting  the  small  arms  such  as  musketry, 
pistols,  &c.  in  complete  order,  and  in  making  cartridges, 
and  ns  the  boatswain  had  completed  making  a  great 
quantity  of  ratling  stuff,  a  boarding-netting  was  made 
out  of  Uie  same,  to  go  all  the  way  round  the  ship.    1  hitf 
netting  was  ten  feet  in  height,  from  the  upper  part  of 
the  bulwarks,  and  triced  up  to  stancheons  fitted  tor  that 
purpose.    Now  every  aspirant  had  a  fine  opportunity 
forimproverojnt,  as  the  officers  were  never  backward 
in  communf  eating  a  knowledge  of  seamanship  and  navi- 
gation ;  of  *vhich,  many  of  the  young  men  took  advan- 
teffe.    On  one  occasion  when  I  was  m  the  steerage, 
cwving  fr  jm  the  log-book  into  my  journal  a  day  s  run, 
the  se<»n( .  officer,  Mr  C.  being  present,  to  instruct,  stud 
to  me,  "young  man,  I  fevoured  you  while  crossing  the 
culf  streaia,  in  that  bit  of  a  blow,  for  I  was  fearftil  that 
your  body  would  get  the  better  of  your  flippers,  and 


W€ 

ha 

tU( 

en( 

No 

jac! 

for 

are 

ma 

tha 

fell) 

lani 

I  h 

tim< 

onc( 

bou 

oftl 

mail 

cap, 

wen 

The 

dut}r 

we  s 

heh 

givei 

aitho 

on  til 

from 

on  tfa 

office 

Jm 

speak 

trade: 

convi 

not  V] 

good. 

watcl] 

were) 


I." 


v^|/.: 


'^^^^-: 


■  ..WIIillM»i'>y|MI|'IIHI|', W'.IJ!!  tf" 


»    CAP*   HOR!»— 
:.  fcC. 

mbers  of  boni- 
Icome  visitors, 
le  latter  were 
aess,  always  a 
sailor,  who  is 
ef  one  day  and 
sr,  there  was  an 
chmess  every 
rs  call  it  "duff/' 
-east  and  the 
ule  opportunity 
\\i  as  musketry, 
;ing  cartridges, 
.naking  a  great 
[ting  was  made 
the  ship.  Thitf 
le  upper  part  of 
ts  fitted  for  that 
ne  opportunity 
never  backward 
nship  and  navi- 
len  took  advan- 
.  (he  steerage, 
|iial  a  day's  run, 
to  instruct,  swd 
jile  crossing  the 
as  fearful  that 
flippers,  and 


LIFE  ON  "HB   OCEAN. 


48 


you  might  tumble  overboard.  Since  that  time,  the 
weather  has  been  such,  that  a  dozen  old  women  might 
have  worked  the  ship ;  and  after  we  cross  these  lati- 
tudes,  and  reach  Capo  Horn,  we  shall  ht.-7e  work 
enough,  and  every  man  on  board  must  do  his  duty. 
Now  you  have  got  your  sea-tacks  aboard,  and  your 
jacket  well  lined,  I  hope  you  have  a  good  conscience ; 
for  now-a-days  most  of  the  young  chaps  that  go  to  sea 
are  sent  cTby  their  friends,  or  run  away  from  their 
masters,  because  they  are  so  worthless  and  dissipated 
that  nothing  can  be  done  with  them  on  shore.  These 
fellows  never  make  sailors,  for  they  are  not  fit  for  the 
land  or  sea,  and  are  just  such  as  give  sailors  a  bad  name. 
I  hope  you  will  not  flinch  fix>m  your  duty,  for  some- 
times there  are  fearfiil  mishaps  oS  that  stormy  cape.  I 
once,"  continued  h'3,  "was  before  the  mast  in  a  brig, 
bound  round  the  Cape,  when  we  were  stmck  with  one 
of  those  south-west  hail  squalls,  while  close  reefing  the 
main-topsail,  when  both  topmasts  went  close  by  the 
cap,  and  three  out  of  the  six  that  were  on  the  yard, 
were  thrown  overboard,  and  went  to  Davy  Jones'  locker. 
They  were  my  messmates,  and  never  flmched  in  'u;eir 
duty."  1  discovered  by  the  tone  of  his  voice,  that  as 
we  sometimes  say,  his  heart  was  in  his  mouth,  and  if 
he  had  continued  the  recital  his  eye  pumps  would  have: 
given  way.  It  may  be  proper  to  observe  here,  that 
although  Mr.  C.  laid  aside  the  distinction  of  the  officer 
on  these  occasions  when  below,  yet  he  never  deviated 
from  the-strict  discipline  of  the  ship  when  on  deck,  for 
on  those  occasions  I  knew  him  only  as  Mr.  C.  second 
officer. 

Jawwmf  15. — I  had  often  heard  the  seamen  on  board 
speak  of  the  uninterrupted  course  of  the  wind  in  these 
trades,  and  of  the  uniform  good  weather.  I  was  now 
convinced,  for  during  the  la-^  ^.  seven  days  the  wind  had 
not  varied  half  a  point,  suid  the  weather  was  uniformly 
good.  On  the  night  of  die  16th,  having  the  middle 
watch,  while  Fitting  in  the  mizzen-top — for  the  topmen 
were  always  in  the  tops  in  good  weather,  during  their 
6 


\  i:< 


m\ 


I  m 


46 


LIFE   ON  THE   OCEAN. 


watch — musing  on  the  fond  recollections  of  home,  and 
the  associations  connected  with  it,  I  was  roused  from 
this  reverie,  to  behold  the  moon  rising  with  solemn 
grandeur  in  a  cloudless  sky.    Nothing  could  be  more 
impressive,  for  now  a  profound  silence  reigned  through- 
out the  ship,  and  nought  was  to  be  seen,  save  this  pale 
queen  of  night,  ascending  to  perform  her  rounds,  with 
here  and  there  a  brilliant  gem,  that  decked  the  azujre 
vault ;  and  the  wide  spread  ocean  which  seemed  almost 
boundless  as  infinity,  and  the  bark  now  floating  o'er 
the  blue  wave.    All  this  brought  forcibly  to  my  recol- 
lection, the  reflections  of  David ^  as  portrayed  in  the 
inimitable  psalm :    "When  I  consider  thy  Heavens  the 
work  of  thy  fingers,  the  moon  and  stars  which  thou  hast 
ordained,  &c."    Although  surrounded  by  a  numerous 
crew  I  could  not  help  feeling  that  my  situation  was 
lonely,  yet  the  wholesome  admonition  of  my  good  old 
uncle,  constantly  reiterated  in  my  ears,  especially  that 
part  which  admonished  me  to  excel  in  my  profession. 
January  19. — When  in  the  parallel  of  Cape  Frio,  I, 
again  heard  the  welcome  sound  of  "sail  ho !"  which 
proved  to  be  a  ship  steering  to  the  westward,  as  we 
supposed  bound  to  Rio  de  Janeiro.    The  wind  con- 
tinued steady  at  south-east  and  the  weather  being  fine, 
we  took  this  opportunity  of  getting  our  large  gims  below. 
Nothing  material  occurred,  until  the  26th,  when  we 
passed  the  latitude  of  Rio  de  la  Plata,  and  did  not 
according  to  our  expectation,  experience  any  of  those 
severe  blows,  called  by  the  Spaniards,  Pomperos,  so 
usual  at  this  place.    The  winds  now  became  variable 
and  the  weather  squally,  until  we  reached  the  parallel 
of  40°  south.    On  the  morning  of  the  6th  February, 
the  wind  being  light  at  south-east,  saw  heavy  dense 
black  clouds  in  the  south-western  quarter,  driving  ftiri- 
ously  to  the  north-east.    All  the  light  sails  were  imme- 
diately furled,  the  topsails  close  reefed,  courses  hauled 
up  and  furled,  and  the  yards  braced  so  as  to  take  the 
wind  on  the  starboard  tack.    For  a  few  minutes  there 
was  an  entire  calm;  suddenly  the  ship  was  struck 


81 
W 

th 
as 
T 

r» 

f.i 

to 
he 
th 
be 
th( 
sqi 
gal 

001 

the 
the 
ma 
wa 
the 
tha 
ho^ 
'Wid 
al< 
el( 
win 
beii 
terr 

the 

to  t 

and 

was 

the  ( 

betl 

first 


"I«ll«l*«<l)*"' 


V. 


k 


LIFE    ON   THE   vOEaW. 


47 


f  home,  and 
roused  from 
with  solemn 
aid  be  more 
led  through- 
ave  this  pale 
rounds,  with 
ced  the  azujre 
semed  almost 
floating  o'er 
r  to  my  recol- 
rayed  in  the 
Heavens  the 
lich  thou  hast 
y  a  numerous 
situation  was 
my  good  old 
jspecially  that 
ny  profession. 
;  Cape  Frio,  1/ 
,  ho!"  which 
jtward,  as  we 
he  wind  con- 
ler  being  fine, 
[6  guns  below, 
ilh,  when  we 
and  did  not 
any  of  those 
Pomperos,  so 
)came  variable 
sd  the  parallel 
|6th  February, 
heavy  dense 
.',  driving  ftiri- 
Is  were  imme- 
lourses  hauled 
as  to  take  the 
minutes  there 
ip  was  struck 


with  a  most  tremendous  squall  of  rain,  hail  nnd  wind  ; 
such  was  its  violence,  that  the  ship  lay  with  her  gun- 
wale in  the  water.  I  tiad  now  an  opportunity  of  seeinff 
the  undaunted  coolness  and  seamnnsliip  of  Captain  W. 
as  well  as  the  importance  of  a  well  disciplined  crew. 
The  captain  assumed  entire  command,  which  was 
r'f-Acutea  with  great  promptness  by  the  officers  and 
iuv>iv,  the  mizzen-topsail  was  furled,  and  the  lee-main- 
topsail- braces  were  slackened  to  shiver  the  sail;  the 
helm  was  put  to  starboard,  and  the  ship  wore  off  before 
the  wind,  and  like  an  impatient  courser,  which  had 
been  chscked,  she  boundeu  furiously  over  the  waves  at 
the  rate  of  twelve  miles  per  hour.  The  violence  of  the 
squall  lasted  but  one  hour,  when  it  settled  into  a  hard 
gale,  and  as  the  ship  was  running  directly  out  of  her 
course,  preparations  were  now  made  to  bring  her  up  by 
the  wind,  and  lay  to.  The  fore-topsail  was  furled,  and 
the  ship  having  no  other  sail  set  but  the  close  reefed 
main-topsail,  and  fore-topmast-stay-sail ;  the  main-y^trd 
was  now  braced  up,  the  helm  was  put  to  leeward,  and 
the  ship  came  up  to  the  wind.  This  being  the  first  gale 
that  we  had  experienced,  I  was  a  little  surprised  to  find 
how  perfectly  safe  the  ship  appeared  to  ride  on  the  sea, 
^nd  ^though  it  blew  as  the  sailors  said,  a  very  severe 
gale,  yet  it  could  scarcely  be  realized  when  we  were 
below.  The  gale  lasted  about  twelve  hours,  and  the 
wind  then  hauled  round  to  the  south-east,  and  all  sail 
being  made,  we  stood  on  our  course  without  much  in- 
terruption. 

Eebruary  17. — Sent  down  royal-yards,  i.iasts,  and 
rigging,  and  got  in  the  flying-jib-boom  to  prepare  for 
bad  weather  off  the  Cape.  The  wind  now  hauled  to 
the  southward  with  strong  breezes,  so  that  it  obliged  us 
to  take  the  larboard  tack,  and  stand  to  the  westward, 
and  on  the  morning  of  the  18th,  at  10  a.  m.  "land  ho!" 
was  sounded  from  the  mast-head,  stretching  as  far  as 
the  eye  could  reach  to  the  south-west.  This  proved  to 
be  the  cheerless  coast  of  Terra  del  Fuego ;  ana  was  the 
first  land  we  had  seen  since  our  departure  from  Nantas- 


J 


H 


48 


LIFE   ON  THE   OCEAN. 


ket  Roads.  Our  latitude  now  was  64°  30f  south  ;  lon- 
gitude, 64°  SO'  west ;  having  made  the  passage  in  70  days. 

The  wind  now  hauled  to  the  south-west,  and  in- 
creased to  a  gale,  with  violent  hail  squalls ;  and  at  5 
p.  M.  saw  Staten  Land  bearing  south-west,  and  at  6  we 
wore  ship  to  the  south-east.  The  frequency  of  these 
terrible  hail  s(iualls  '  '"lught  to  my  recollection  the  con- 
versation with  Mr.  C  tnd  as  I  had  often  been  advised 
by  the  sailors,  to  give  the  owners  one  hand  and  use 
the  other  for  myself,  1  found  their  caution  to  be  abso- 
lutely necessary,  especially  in  these  severe  squalls  ;  for 
on  that  night,  all  my  strength  was  put  tn  the  test,  while 
endeavourmg  with  some  30  or  40  men  to  furl  the  main- 
sail, which  could  not  be  accomplished  in  less  than  an 
hour,  such  was  the  violence  of  the  wind ;  the  rain  and 
hail  pouring  upon  us  in  torrents,  so  that  I  became 
entirely  benumbed,  and  had  to  lash  myself  with  the 
ear-ring  to  the  yard-arm  to  prevent  falling  overboard, 
having  almost  lost  the  use  of  my  hands. 

In  this  blow  the  fore-topsail  blew  out  of  the  bolt-ropes, 
and  several  other  sails  were  split  to  pieces.  We  had 
now  got  our  head  fairly  up  to  the  curved  land  off  Cape 
Horn ;  and  although  I  had  heard  much  about  the  bad 
weather,  yet  every  account  failed  in  its  description  to 
the  reality  which  we  now  experienced.  For  several 
days  neither  sun,  moon,  nor  stars  were  seen,  and  thesliip 
constantly  under  close  reefed  fore  and  main-topsails,  and 
reefed  foresail,  with  a  tremendous  heavy  sea  runnins. 

We  continued  endeavouring  to  get  to  the  westwara, 
but  made  very  little  progress.  On  25th,  observed  in 
latitude  57°  30'  S.  and  not  having  had  an  opportunity  to 
take  a  lunar  observation,  the  longitude  by  computation 
from  our  last  departure  from  Staten  Land  was  70°  30f 
west.  This  however  could  not  be  relied  upon,  because 
there  is  constantly  a  strong  easterly  current,  and  in«- 
stances  have  not  been  wanting,  where  ships  have  judged 
themselves  to  the  westward  of  tlie  Cape,  and  have  actu- 
idly  borne  away  to  the  northward,  when  at  the  same 
time  they  were  to  the  eastward,  and  the  first  land  that 
they  saw  was  about  the  Rio-de-la-Plata. 


M 
C( 

th 
tu 
ti( 
ni 

Wi 

nii 

vi( 
thi 
Tl 
no 

PK 

th( 
vai 

clo 

wi 

cai 

wh 

on< 

tw< 

ist 

sav 

the 

ano 

nin 

toei 

ore^ 

whi 

ties 

list! 

bisc 

and 

lone 

whe 


south ;  lon- 
;e  in  70  days. 
3st,  and  in- 
s ;  and  at  S 
and  at  6  we 
icy  of  these 
tion  the  con- 
been  advised 
ind  and  use 
I  to  be  abso- 
squalls ;   for 
le  test,  while 
iirl  the  main- 
less  than  an 
the  rain  and 
lat  I  became 
jelfwith  the 
ag  overboard, 

;he  bolt-ropes, 
}s.    We  had 
and  off  Cape 
MUt  the  bad 
lescription  to 
For  several 
.andthesliip 
I- topsails,  and 
sea  running, 
le  westwaro, 
observed  in 
)portunit>r  to 
computation 
was  70°  30' 
ipon,  because 
rent,  and  in* 
have  judged 
ad  have  actu- 
al the  same 
irst  land  that 


mmm 


'-IIWIW     |iimpn^pww|WfH|.mHW!|    '"I" 


^mit 


UWK  ON  THB   OOBAN. 


41 


Fhbruarv  96. — The  wind  moderatec  and  hauled  to 
Bouth-soutn-weat,  and  as  we  could  make  a  good  westerljr 
coiurse,  a  heavy  press  of  canvass  was  now  made  upon 
the  ship,  against  a  heavy  head  sea.  Indeed  in  these  lati- 
tudes the  sea  is  very  seldom  smooth,  because  the  cessa- 
tion of  gales  is  of  so  short  a  period  that  the  swell  has 
not  time  to  subside. 

At  6  p.  u.  the  wind  hauled  again  to  the  west-south- 
west with  severe  hail  squalls,  whi-^h  obliged  us  at  mid- 
night to  furl  the  fore  and  mizzen-topeails. 

On  the  morning  of  the  27th,  the  wind  increased  to  a 
violent  gale,  which  caused  us  tor  the  first  time  to  furl 
the  mun-topeail,  and  lay  to  under  the  storm-staysail. 
The  violence  of  the  gale  and  the  consequent  heavy  sea, 
not  only  made  it  difficult  for  us  keep  our  legs,  but  also 
prevented  the  cooks  from  boiling  any  meat  or  coffee, 
the  loss  of  which  especially  the  coffee,  was  a  great  pri- 
vation. 

At  9  p.  M.  the  gale  broke,  and  at  midnight  we  set 
close  reefed  topsails.  On  the  morning  of  the  28th,  the 
wind  lulleu  away  to  a  moderate  breeze  and  the  sea  be- 
came smoother ;  this  day  saw  a  niunber  of  birds,  among 
which  were  albatrosses,  and  we  succeeded  in  taking 
one  with  a  hook  and  line  which  measured  twelve  feet 
two  inches  from  tip  to  tip  of  the  wings.  The  albatross 
is  the  largest  bird  m  this  region  except  the  condor.  I 
saw  one  of  the  latter  which  measured  fourteen  feet  across 
the  wings.  We  also  caught  this  day  with  a  small  hook 
and  line,  a  number  of  cape  pigeons,  which  after  skin- 
ning and  parboiling,  made  us  an  excellent  sea-pie ;  pota- 
toes vinegar  and  molasses,  were  now  served  out  to  the 
crew,  as  preventives  to  the  scurvy,  some  symptoms  of 
which  having  appeared.  From  these  acceptable  dain- 
ties, we  made  wtiat  the  sailors  call  "lobscouse,"  con- 
sisting of  salt  beef  with  potatoes  cut  up,  with  broken 
biscuit  and  some  fet,  mixed  together  with  firesh  water 
and  boiled — and  this  is  a  rare  mess  to  a  seaman,  on  a 
long  voyage.  The  wind  continued  light  until  4  p.  m. 
when  we  saw  a  very  black  appearance  on  the  water  to 
6* 


wmmmmmm 


LIFE   ON   THE   OCBAIT. 


the  eafttward,  and  aupposed  it  to  be  tlio  reflection  from 
the  cloudH,  but  with  the  aid  ol'  tho  spy-glaiis,  it  was  soon 
discovered  to  be  wind  driving  furiously  from  the  east- 
'Ward.  All  hands  wore  now  in  motion,  we  lowered  away 
tiie  yards  and  clnwed  up  tho  soils,  tho  hands  sprung 
aloft  and  lurled  ult  but  the  foro-topail,  which  was  close 
reefed  ;  the  Hhip  was  now  put  before  the  wind  amid  the 
roaring  of  the  clonionts ;  preventer  lashings  were  put  on, 
to  seciue  every  thing  about  dock,  and  preventer  braces 
on  the  fore  and  foretoi>sail  yards. 

Night  came  on  and  tho  scene  was  terrific ;  what 
with  the  howling  of  the  wind,  the  hoarse  bellowing  of 
the  thunder,  the  vivid  lightning,  and  the  tremendous 
heavy,  rolling  sea,  which  broke  in  on  either  beam  ;  her 
stern  now  lined  by  the  sea,  and  her  head  plunging  in- 
to the  vortex  below  ;  the  stately  ship,  nearly  btiO  tons 
burthen,  looked  comparatively  like  a  nut-shell  on  the 
waves. 

It  was  a  fearful  night  and  made  the  stoutest  seaman 
on  board  quail.  At  midnight  the  violence  of  the  sea 
stove  in  our  stern  boat,  which  was  immediately  cut 
away  from  the  gripes,  and  we  also  lost  both  swmging 
booms.  During  tlie  whole  night,  the  ship  was  driven 
with  maddening  impetuosity  by  the  violence  of  the 

fede,  twelve  miles  per  hour.  Towards  daylight,  March 
St,  the  gale  became  steady;  and  more  moderate,  and 
the  ship  was  kept  away  a  little  to  the  northward.  At 
meridian  we  observed  in  latitude  56°  68'  south,  and  no 
land  being  in  sight,  of  course  we  were  to  the  westward 
of  the  western-most  land  of  the  Cape. 

Huving  noAv  fairly  doubled  Cape  Horn,  1  considered 
myself  to  be  a  piece  of  a  sailor,  as  I  had  endeavoured  to 
improve  eveiy  opportunity  to  become  acquainted  with 
the  duties  of  a  seaman,  and  in  this  1  was  greatly  assisted 
by  Ms.  C.  who  as  I  thought,  appeared  to  take  great  plea- 
sure in  putting  me  forward.  , 

March  2iid  —The  wind  now  became  steady  and  haul- 
ed to  the  southward,  with  strong  breezes  and  clear ;  and 
as  we  lessened  our  latitude  the  weather  became  propor- 
tionably  good. 


S( 
Ol 

Ii 

Ci 

n 
ni 
til 
sv 
H 

to 
foi 
th 
se 

sei 
fu< 

nu 
th( 
as 

•  45' 
the 

in 

ing 

be! 

or! 

Ian 


flection  from 
8,  it  was  Boon 
om  the  oast 
owered  away 
landa  sprung 
ch  was  close 
rind  amid  the 
B  were  put  on, 
iventer  braces 

terrific;  what 
a  bellowing  of 
le  tremenoiouB 
ler  beam ;  her 
1  plunging  in- 
learly  600  tons 
U-shell  on  the 

toutest  seaman 
nee  of  the  sea 
(wnediately  cut 
[both  swmgmg 
lip  was  driven 
iolence  of  the 
[aylight,  March 
moderate,  and 
lorthward.    At 
south,  and  no 
the  westward 

[n,  1  considered 
1  endeavoured  to 
Lcquainted  with 
*  greatly  assisted 
lake  great  plea- 

Iteady  and  haul- 

'  and  clear ;  and 

became  piopor- 


•mm" 


^"mfw 


LIPI!   ON  THC   OOKAN. 


SI 


March  1th. — During  the  last  five  days  we  had  uniform 
strung  biuezcs  and  nothing  occurrod  to  interrupt  the 
usual  routine  of  duty  and  sameness  of  a  sea-life.  Ob- 
served this  Jay  at  meridian  in  39"  30*  8.  and  the  sun  and 
moon  being  in  distance  a  lunar  observation  was  taken, 
and  the  longitude  deduced  therefrom  was  7S*^  SC  W. 

March  8th. — Sent  up  royal-yards,  masts,  dec.  got  out 
flying  jib-boom,  and  by  this  time  the  coriienters  had  re- 
paired the  bulwarks,  made  swinging  booms  and  other 
necessary  repairs. 

March  9th. — Weather  being  exceedingly  fine,  and  the 
sea  smooth,  wo  improved  the  opportunity  to  hoist  up 
our  largo  guns,  and  mouiitod  them  on  their  carriages. 
In  doing  this,  a  very  serious  accident  happened  to  the 
carpenter,  which  nearly  cost  him  his  life.  He  unfortu- 
nately got  between  the  combings  of  the  hatch,  and  a 
nine  pounder  swinging  in  the  tackle  abreast  of  him,  when 
the  man  who  attended  the  guy  let  it  slip,  and  the  gun 
swung  with  the  motion  of  the  ship,  against  his  breast. 
He  was  taken  up  for  dead,  but  through  the  indefati- 
gable exertions  of  the  surgeon,  he  was  soon  brought 
to  exhibit  signs  of  life,  but  did  not  perform  any  duty  for 
four  months,  and  wa^  not  the  same  man  again  during 
the  voyage.  The  guns  with  all  their  paraphernalia  being 
secured,  and  the  wind  being  now  moderate,  all  sail  was 
set  under  the  expectation  of  making  the  island  of  Masa- 
ftiero  the  next  day. 

March  lOth. — At  10  a.  m.  land  was  descried  firom  the 
mast-head  bearing  north-north-west,  15  leagues  distant ; 
the  ship  was  heading  exactly  for  the  land ;  it  proved  to  be 
as  was  expected  the  island  of  Masaiuero,  situated  in  33*^ 
46'  S.  latitude  and  80°  38'  W.  longitude,  Having  made 
the  passage  in  ninety-two  days  from  Nantasket  Roads. 

The  island  ot  Masafuero  is  small,  being  about  six  miles 
in  length  and  four  and  a  half  in  breadth.  On  approach- 
ing this  island  it  every  where  appears  to  the  eye  of  thb 
beholder  u  mass  of  high  shelving  rocks  without  verdure 
or  shrub,  which  we  in  truth  found  to  be  the  case  after 
landing,  and  it  is  theiefore  incapable  of  affording  suste- 


1  ^ 


'Tjr  TmuOimuivuimi,  .^isw 


m- 


11 


■     If 

I'M 
I  '"'Pi 


I  njl 


ifii. 


!!«  • 


02  UFB    ON  THB   OCEAN. 

nance,  especially  on  the  south  side,  for  we  examined  it 

thoroughly.  .....  ., 

We  stood  boldly  into  the  south  side,  unUi  wUhm  a  nule 
and  a  half  of  the  island,  it  being  the  intention  of  Capt. 
W.  to  send  the  boats  on  shore  to  get  water,  if  they  could 
land.  Accordingly  two  boats  were  manned  and  des- 
patched, myself  being  one  of  the  number  each  man  taking 
his  hook  and  line  to  fish.  In  approaching  the  beach 
we  found  it  impossible  to  land,  the  surf  bemg  so  great, 
and  the  whole  shore  was  lined  with  rocks.  In  this  we 
were  much  disappointed,  the  chagrin  however  did  not 
last  long,  tor  to  our  great  joy  when  we  commenced 
fishing,  we  caught  them  in  such  numbers,  that  in 
two  hours  we  loaded  both  boats  with  the  finest  fish  I 
ever  ate.  This  proved  to  be  a  great  treat  to  the  oflScers 
and  crew,  and  amply  compensated  us  for  our  disappoint- 
ment in  not  being  able  to  eflfect  a  landing.  This  night 
lay  off  and  on,  keeping  the  island  full  in  view,  with 
the  expectation  that  we  might  be  able  to  land  Ja  the 
morning. 

At  daylight,  on  the  11th,  sent  away  the  same  two  boats 
with  the  fishing  gear,  some  muskets  and  ammunition. 
The  wind  being  lighter  than  on  the  preceding  day,  and 
the  surf  not  so  high,  it  was  therefore  agreed  that  one 
boat  should  endeavour  to  land,  while  the  other  was  to 
remain  off  to  fish.  Accordingly  the  boat  to  which 
I  belonged  proceeded,  and  with  great  difficulty  and  at 
Uie  hazard  of  our  lives,  we  succeeded  in  gaining  the 
beach.  After  securing  the  boat,  we  took  our  muskets 
and  went  in  search  of  water,  the  prospect  of  success 
being  very  unpromising,  for  every  where  the  land  pre- 
sented an  exceedingly  barren  appearance  without  shrub-, 
bery  or  vegetation,  consisting  principally  of  high  shelving 
rocks,  and  now  and  then  might  be  seen,  some  prickly 
pear  bushes,  as  a  kind  of  relief  to  this  rugged  scene. 
After  the  most  diUgent  search,  our  efforts  proved  firuit- 
less,  and  no  water  was  to  be  foimd  in  any  quarter. 
About  a  mile  and  a  half  from  where  we  landed,  near  to  a 
sand  beach,  there  was  a  small  piece  of  ground  which 


I 
f 

^ 

a 
o 

el 
w 
tl 
to 
cc 


M 


u 
an 

wi 
gr( 

Wi 

di( 
W 
dii 

for 

a 

i)oi 

the 

tha 

We 

sim 

the 

sea 

due 

abu 

wat 

the 

ingl 

stee: 


n««iPRi«i^iiPiP!l«ipp"*' 


I  examined  it 

within  a  mile 
ition  of  Capt. 
if  they  could 
led  and  des- 
;h  man  taking 
ng  the  beach 
)emg  so  ^at, 
,.    In  this  we 
»wever  did  not 
e  commenced 
ibers,  that  in 
e  finest  fish  I 
,  to  the  officers 
our  disappoiut- 
;.    This  ni^ht 
in  view,  with 
to  land  J  a  the 

same  two  boats 
d  ammunition, 
leding  day,  and 
•eed  that  one 
other  was  to 
,„jat  to  which 
|ifficulty  and  at 
in  gaining  the 
ik  our  muskets 
jct  of  success 
,  the  land  pre- 
without  shrub-. 
»f  high  shelving 
t,  some  prickly 
rugged  scene. 
;ts  proved  firuit- 
in  any  quarter, 
nded,  near  to  a 
'  groiuui  which 


LIFE   ON   THE   OCEAN. 


63 


appeared  to  have  been  cultivated,  as  we  supposed,  by 
men  who  had  been  left  on  the  island  to  catch  seal, 
which*  had  formerly  been  taken  here  in  great  numbers. 
There  were  also  the  remains  of  what  probably  had  been 
a  hut  in  which  they  lived.  Here  again  we  renewed 
our  search,  supposing  that  as  this  location  had  been 
chosen,  fresh  water  could  not  be  far  off,  but  in  this  we 
were  disappointed.  The  day  now  being  far  spent,  the 
third  officer  who  commanded  the  boat,  thought  it  best 
to  give  over  the  search,  and  get  on  board  as  fast  cs  we 
could.  We  proceeded  therefore  with  all  possible  des- 
mtch,  and  in  passing  a  narrow  defile  of  rocks,  started  a 
herd  of  goats,  which  being  exceedingly,  fiightened  ran  up 
an  acclivity  of  rocks  that  seemed  nearly  perpendicular, 
with  as  much  apparent  ease  as  if  ihey  had  been  on  level 
ground.  Our  surprise  was  so  ^reat  at  seeing  them  that 
we  had  scarcely  presence  of  mind  to  fire,  and  when  ve 
did,  it  was  so  much  at  random  that  we  killed  but  two. 
We  reached  our  boat  at  about  4  o'clock,  and  with  some 
difficulty,  the  surf  being  high,  joined  our  companions. 
During  our  absence  on  shore  the  jolly  boat  was  sent 
for  eggs  which  were  found  in  so  great  abundance  on 
a  small  island  detached  fi'om  the  main  island,  that  the 
^oat  was  soon  loaded,  and  towed  off  to  the  ship  with 
them.  The  birds  here  were  so  numerous  and  so  tame, 
that  we  found  great  difficulty  in  driving  them  away. 
We  killed  and  took  a  great  many.  Some  were  nearly 
similar  to  the  wild  duck,  but  the  most  delicious  were 
the  young  boobies,  which  previously  to  their  going  to 
sea  are  quite  as  great  a  delicacy  as  ■  the  canvas-back 
duck.  And  now  having  fish,  fowls,  and  eggs.  '  i  great 
abundance,  we  iared  sumptuously.  All  hopes  oi  getting 
water  being  now  at  an  end,  it  was  determined  to  leave 
the  island  and  to  proceed  to  the  coast  of  f^hiU.  Accord- 
ingly the  boats  were  hoisted  in,  sail  was  made,  and  we 
steered  away  to  the  westward. 


iU 


m 


I! 


.11  M 


CHAPTER    V. 

OBJECT     or     THE     VOYAGE     EXPLAINED     TO     THE     CKEW COM- 

MENCEMEMT    OF    TRAFFIC     ON    THE    COAST   OF    CHILI — BAY   OF 
C04UIMB0,  &C.  &C. 

March  12. — This  day  we  had  fine  pleasant  weather, 
and  the  ship  was  hauled  up  so  as  to  make  the  land  near 
Conception  Bay.  At  meridian,  all  hands  were  called 
aft  ani  addressed  by  Captain  W. 

"My  men,"  said  "he,  "no  doubt  some  of  you  have 
perceived  our  destination  before  this  time ;  I  will  now 
explain  to  you  the  nature  of  our  voyage.  We  are  about 
to  run  on  to  the  coast  of  Chili,  and  from  thence  down 
the  coast  to  California.  Our  business  is  a  fbrced  trade 
and  we  shall  be  likely  to  meet  with  opposition,  and  Ml 
in  with  Spanish  cruisers.  It  is  not  my  intention  to  run 
the  ship  into  any  fortified  port,  or  to  engage  any  vessel 
of  greater  force  than  ourselves;  there  will  be  however 
some  risk,  as  there  always  is  in  a  contraband  trade,  and 
I  have  taken  this  opportunity  to  let  you  know  that  if 
tlie  ship  is  taken  by  the  Spaniards,  we  shall  not  only 
be  made  prisoners,  but  be  confined  in  the  mines.  ( 
expect  therefore  every  man  will  do  his  duty,  and  nev,?t 
strike  the  American  nag.  And  as  we  shall  necessarily 
have  much  work  to  do  with  our  boats,  to  carry  goods 
on  shore,  the  greatest  precaution  will  be  necessary,  so 
that  you  may  not  be  entrapped  by  the  Spaniards.  I 
have  no  fears  as  to  the  final  result  of  this  voya^,  for 
we  have  a  ship  that  is  quite  able  to  take  any  thing  in 
these  seas  that  wears  the  Spanish  flag,  except  it  may  be 
a  frigate." 

At  the  conclusion  of  this  address  the  men  gave  three, 
cheers — for  all  hands  had  the  greatest  respect  for,  and 
the  strongest  confidence  in  Captain  W. 


Wi 

pr( 
ca 

fin 
at 

th( 

hei 
it 
cai 
sib 
lyi 
be 
the 
sui 
too 
ed 
1 
tioi 
the 
T^ 

0ffi( 

pos 
ves 
disf 
1 
thei 
thai 
goo 
cho 
all 
mu( 
app 
beic 
arid 
getti 


IE     CKEW COM- 

'   CHILI — BAY   or 


asant  weather, 
;  the  land  near 
Is  were  called 

!  of  you  have 
B ;  I  will  now 

We  are  about 
I  thence  down 

a  forced  trade 
>sition,  and  Ml 
ntention  to  run 
rage  any  vessel 
ill  be  however 
>and  trade,  and 
1  know  that  if 

shall  not  only 

the  mines.     ( 

luty,  and  nev,?t 

hiall  necessarily 

to  carry  goods 

e  necessary,  so 

Spaniards.  I 
this  voya^,  for 
e  any  thing  in 
xcept  it  may  be 

men  gave  three, 
respect  for,  and 


•^^mm 


LIFE   ON  THE   OCEAN. 


55 


Crews  were  chosen  for  the  boats,  the  boardinff-nettini? 
was  stretched  round  the  ship  and  stoppered,  and  ever? 
preparation  made  with  our  armsmenv  to  be  ready  in 
case  of  an  attack.  ' 

Marth  13.~The  wind  continued  at  south-east  with 
fine  clear  weather.  This  day  the  men  were  stationed 
at  the  g;uns  m  three  divisions,  after  which  we  were  em- 
ployed in  exercising  them,  as  well  as  in  going  through 
the  manoeuvre  of  repelling  boarders.  • 

March  14.— At  meridian  the  cry  of  "land  ho !»  was 
heard  from  the  mast-head.  Our  latitude  being  36°  43' 
It  proved  to  be  the  land  between  Conception  and  Tal- 
cahuana.  We  stood  boldly  in,  our  object  being  if  pos- 
sible to  ascertain  whether  any  Spanish  craiserS  ^re 
lying  m  either  of  those  ports.  This  however  could  not 
be  effected  before  night,  for  as  we  approached  the  land, 
the  wm  1  becanie  light,  and  consequently  we  had  not 
suffici..:  '"vlight  to  make  our  observations.  At  8  p.  m. 
took  It  5  light  sails,  single  reefed  the  topsails,  haul- 

;^   i.  .'^'"^?'  ^"*^J*y  °ff  *"<!  "»  during  the  night. 

Af^ch  15.-At  daylight  stood  in  and  sJw  Confep- 
tion  Bay  bearing  west-south-west,  and  run  close  in  to 
the  southern-most  point,  and  saw  a  few  scattered  huts. 
Iwo  boats  were  now  manned  and  armed,  with  an 
ofticer  m  each,  to  reconnoiure,  and  to  land  for  the  pur- 
pose  of  giving  information  to  those  on  shore,  that  the 
vesse!  in  the  offing  had  every  description  of  merchan- 
aise  suitable  for  the  Spanish  market 

The  boats  effected  a  landing,  and  ascertained  that 
there  were  no  Spanish  men-of-war  in  either  port,  and 
that  the  coast  and  country  were  entirely  destitute  of 
goods.  They  also  sounded  and  discovered  good  an- 
aS°{T,f°""'*  r^""  ^^^  southern  point,  secure  ftom 
all  but  tlie  northerly  winds.  This  iWon^ation  caSed 
much  satisfection  to  all  on  board,  because  there  no(«r 
appear^  a  prospect  of  commencing  business.  The  dav 
being  fer  spent  when  the  boats  returned,  we  stood  off 
ii;.„°»  :.,*^  °!?.  *^®  preceding  night;  at  the  same  time 
getting  our  cables  aiid  anchors  in  readiness  to  let  go 


"'"■'r    "      r-|-'ri>r»iiiitiiii>|iiii 


ruiiitrnrii'imiw 


56 


LIFE   ON  THE   OCEAN. 


March  16. — ^This  morning  ran  in,  and  at  10  o'clock, 
came  to,  with  the  small  bower,  in  fourteen  fathom 
water,  abreast  of  the  southern  point  of  Conception  Bay. 
The  land  on  this  coast  is  excedingly  barren,  although 
in  the  interior  it  is  fertile,  vegetation  abundant,  and  me 
grape  is  cultivated ;  there  roing  some  extensive  vine- 
yards, ftom  which  wine  is  made  in  large  quantities,  and 
sent  to  every  part  of  the  coast  of  Chili. 

While  here  we  had  abundant  reason  to  speak  well  of 
the  grape  both  as  to  its  delicacy  and  richness,  for  great 
quantities  were  brought  co  us  from  time  to  time. 

At  11  A.  M.  sent  our  boats  on  shore  as  on  the  prece- 
ding day,  they  returned  about  1  p.  m.  bringing  two 
swarthy  looking  Spaniards,  very  meanly  clad. 

Our  steward  being  a  Spanisuxl,  acted  as  interpreter, 
through  whom  it  was  ascertained,  that  notwithstand- 
ing the  appearance  of  these  men,  they  were  neverthe- 
less rich,  and  wished  to  purchase  goods  to  the  amount 
of^20,000if  they  could  be  safely  landed.  They  also 
stated  we  had  chosen  a  bad  place  to  anchor,  because 
the  ship  would  be  seen  from  the  City  of  Conception. 
It  was  then  determined  to  get  under  way  at  dark, 
and  stand  oft'  and  on,  so  as  to  keep  out  of  sight  In 
the  meantime  these  Spaniards  were  to  purchase  the 
goods,  and  we  were  to  land  them  under  cover  of  the 
night  This  arrangement  being  made,  the  boats  were 
dispatched  with  the*  Spaniards  to  bring  off  their  sj^^ie. 
At  5  p.  M.  they  returned  bringing  the  money  with  them, 
and  according  to  previous  arrangement,  we  got  under 
way,  stood  off  and  on,  and  at  about  midnight  they 
finished  their  purchases,  to  the  amount  of  near  $20,000, 
which  were  packed,  stowed  in  the  boats,  and  sent  on 
shore.  They  were  landed  without  accident  or  interrup- 
tion, the  boats  returned,  and  all  on  board  were  well 
satisfied  with  the  commencement  of  our  trade. 

March  24. — During  the  preceding  days  nothing  ma- 
teried  occurred,  except  that  we  were  constantly  look- 
ing out  for  landing  places  and  settlements  on  the  coast, 
between  Talcahuana  and  Conception.    We  found  it 


'*''*J*'%Wte  t»f*M—^ 


at  10  o'clock, 
irteen  fethom 
nception  Bay. 
Ten,  although 
dant,  and  me 
[tensive  vine- 
[uantities,  and 

spflak  well  of 
less,  for  great 
I  time. 

on  the  prece- 
bringing  two 
lad. 

js  interpreter, 
notwithstand- 
ere  neverthe- 
}  the  amount 
i.  They  also 
chor,  because 
f  Conception, 
way  at  dark, 
of  sight  In 
purchase  the 
r  cover  of  the 
he  boats  were 
i  their  sj^^ie, 
jy  with  them, 
nre  got  under 
lidnight  they 
near  020,000, 
,  and  sent  on 
It  or  interrup- 
rd  were  well 
rade. 

s  nothing  rna- 
istantly  look- 
I  on  the  coast, 
We  found  it 


■^JW'f*-' 


LIFE   ON  THE   OCEAN. 


57 


ri?«?V?P°'''^t  ^  ^«*  °n  shore  with  our  boats,  as  the 

tZ  P^.  irn" '''"  '^i^ '"«"'  P'*^«s  '•««  enUrely!i^n  to 
the  Pacific  Ocean,  and  consequently  there  is  at  all  times 

a  very  heavy  surf  running.*  We  however  effected^ 
wUhouraSeTt'h''  "^'"~  ^^  of  TalcahuL  tu'not 

moJ^'^M^^ 

tl"?'"rV^u^°  farther  to  the  leeward,  especS  1^ 
we  e  fearful  that  the  Spanish  cruisers  miSt  get  Sfor 

S^'AltZfrtf^  ""^^^^^^  length  5f  Sat  one 
S'     Although  Valparaiso  was  the  rext  port  to  lee 

S;C;  aT/n  r'""''^  I''''^'"^'  ^"'^  -'^^  -«  on 
oi  ine  year  a  rendezvous  for  men-of-war.  we  ni»iih«r 

touched  at,  nor  passed  near  to  it.  '  "^^^"^ 

fa'-ch  30.--During  the  last  three  days  we  stood  off 
Md  were  employed  in  exercising  our  guns,  fitter  nre 
worfoutS  "?  our  lower  yards,Vd  aftering  the  S- 
work  outside,  m  order  to  dece  ve  those  Spaniards  whn 
might  have  seen  the  ship  to  windward    ''^'^'^'  ^^*> 

aJmhn     'l'i~^T^  *"  ^  ™^«  t'^«  ^«°d  about  Co- 
?t«t^,      J^^'^   ^^y  ^"  alteration  was  made  in  the 

second  officer,  to  be  my  friend  ;  for  throueh  his  infln 
ence,  I  was  transferred  from  the  mizzen  to  the  maii  ton 
aijd  appointed  to  pull  the  bow  oar  in  one  of  thrutter?' 
The  latter  .,ras  an  advancement  I  had  no  reason  to  S 
SL.''r/'  '1^'^%^"^  ^he  most  trusty  and  feSless  w?re 
selected  for  that  duty.  At  sunset,  saw  a  nurnbeT  S 
spermaceti  whales,  which  were  easily  dis  iSRuish^^ 
fr^  the  right  whale  by  some  of  our  sLmenX  hSd 

To'  ^"  engaged  in  the  whale  fishery. 
,•«*  ^u  "*;  '^e  wind  become  very  light  as  we  shot 
into  a  school  of  these  monsters  of  tL  deep.  wSle  we 
d^sunctly  heard  the  deep  toned  breathing?  of  some^ 
wi?  "^^  y  becalmed,  others  were  plunging  wit^ 
fearful  rapidity  under  our  bottom,  appearing  ?n  the 

?he  ,M'**r^?'"  *^  *^' ^«^*«>-     T^hey  continued  ?ound 
the  ship  during  a  grea.  part  of  the  nig'ht,  to  the  no  small 
o 


:ml 


hrrnr-ii 


58 


LIFE   ON  THE   OCEAN. 


.■ 


tl'  ' 


dismay  of  some,  but  to  the  great  delight  of  others,  who 
had  frequently  been  eye-witnesses  to  scenes  of  a  similar 
character. 

April  1. — At  6  A.  M.  saw  the  land,  distant  12  leagues. 
The  breeze  freshening,  we  made  all  sail  and  stood  in. 
The  coast  made  was  between  Point  Bellena  and  Co- 
quimbo.  The  appearance  of  the  land  was  high  and 
exceedingly  rugged — the  shore  presented  an  unbroken 
line  of  rocks,  and  seemed  to  defy  the  skill  and  manage- 
ment of  any  boat's  crew  to  land ;  but  as  our  business 
was  to  eflfect  this,  if  possible,  after  running  close  in,  two 
boats  were  manned,  armed,  and  dispatched  to  reconnoiter, 
and  eflfect  a  landing  if  practicable.  As  before  stated, 
being  appointed  bow-man  of  one  of  the  cutters,  of 
course  I  was  of  the  number.  On  approaching  the  shore 
We  found  it  utterly  impossible  to  land,  such  was  the 
violence  of  the  breakers  dashing  against  the  rocks,  and 
ttie  heavy  rollers  which  broke  at  a  considerable  distance 
outside  of  them,  presented  an  insurmountable  barrier, 
and  left  us  no  alternative  but  to  return  to  the  ship. 

At  3  p.  M.  after  the  boats  were  hoisted  in,  the  mast- 
head-men, who  were  always  alof:  during  the  day  looking 
out,  cried  out  "sail  on  the  larboard  bow !"  This  was 
the  first  vessel  we  had  seen  this  side  of  Cape  Horn,  and 
as  we  were  now  engaged  in  a  contraband  trade,  the  cry 
of  "sail  ho !"  created  an  unusual  excitement.  It  was  so 
in  this  instance  particularly,  as  all  hands  were  called  to 
quarters,  the  decks  cleared,  and  every  thing  put  in 
readiness  for  action.  We  hauled  upon  the  wind  on  the 
larboard  tack,  and  the  vessel  which  proved  to  be  a  ship, 
passed  five  or  six  miles  to  the  leeward  of  us.  Captain 
W.  concluded  that  she  was  a  whaler,  bound  into  Co- 
quimbo  for  supplies.  It  seemed  to  be  necessary,  how- 
ever, for  us  to  ascertain  her  character,  it  being  the  inten- 
tion of  captain  W.  to  go  into  Coquimbo  also,  as  our  sup- 
ply of  water  was  now  getting  short;  and  as  we  should 
run  little  risk,  there  being  no  fortifications  at  that  port ; 
we  immediately  bore  away,  and  before  sunset  were  suffi- 
ciently near  to  make  her  character  to  be  a  merchant 
vessel. 


t 


)f  others,  who 
es  of  a  similar 

nt  12  leagues. 

and  stood  in. 
illena  and  Co- 
vas  high  and 
I  an  unbroken 
[  and  manage- 
I  our  business 
J  close  in,  two 
to  reconnoiter, 
before  stated, 
he  cutters,  of 
hing  the  shore 
such  was  the 
the  rocks,  and 
jrable  distance 
ntable  barrier, 
the  ship. 

in,  the  mast- 
le  day  looking 

!"  This  was 
'ape  Horn,  and 
.  trade,  the  cry 
int.  It  was  so 
were  called  to 

thing  put  in 
e  wind  on  the 
id  to  be  a  ship, 
r  us.  Captain 
3und  into  Co- 
ecessary,  how- 
eingthe  inten- 
so,  as  our  sup- 
1  as  we  should 
s  at  that  port ; 
nset  were  suffi- 
)e  a  merchant 


"'^j.#ii'ti»iiy 


IfUPfPHW**? .iliiiunWXi  juiimi). 


4->j(MaB'u>M*W:9<M'»^u:u«n^c  — 


'""^^  jMU 


LIFE    ON   THE   OCEAN. 


M 


Ajml 2nd.— -At  daylight  we  were  close  in  with  the  land, 
the  Bay  of  Coquimbo  full  in  view,  and  it  was  soon 
discovered  that  Captain  W.  was  not  mistaken  as  to  the 
destination  of  the  vessel  we  had  seen  the  preceding  day ; 
tor  she  was  lying  at  anch<  y  in  the  harbour,  having  pro' 
bably  arrived  the  night  previously,  while  we  stood  off 
and  on  m  the  ofling. 

Every  thing  being  now  in  readiness  to  come  to  an 
anchor,  we  stood  into  the  bay  with  ov.r  stars  and  stripes 
flying  at  the  peak,  and  quickly  perceived  the  ship  to 
hoist  Spanish  colours.   F-om  her  appearance,  however,  wo 
could  not  be  deceived  as  to  her  character  being  that  of  a 
merchant  vessel,  i.evertheless  every  precaution  was  taken 
in  the  event  of  deception.     We  continued  to  run  in  un- 
til witnm  a  short  distance  of  where  the  ship  lay,  and 
then  came  to  an  anchor  in  ten  fathom  water.    A  boat 
was  despatched  to  ascertain  the  true  character  of  the 
snip.    In  about  an  hour  she  returned,  brinffine  the 
captain  who  mformt  i  -,^  t^-t  he  was  from  Valdivia, 
bound  to  Cal lao  and  had  put  in  here  to  land  some  of  hio 
cargo.    He  also  expressed  much  satisfaction  on  learn- 
ing  the  character  of  our  ship,  and  the  nature  of  our 
business,  stating  that  he  had  orders  to  purchase  in  Cal- 
lao,  merchandise  of  the  same  description  that  we  had  on 
board,  and  therefore  he  concluded  to  purchase  and  fill 
up  his  orders  with  us.    It  now  became  necessary,  beine 
much  m  want  of  water,  to  proceed  without  delay  in  set 
ting  a  supply  before  the  news  should  reach  St.  Jaeo 
of  our  being  in  this  port,  which  if  known,  landing  would 
be  attended  with  much  hazard,  because  a  strong  body 
of  soldiers  would  be  despatched  from  that  place  to  cut 
us  oft.     Accordingly  we  proceeded  with   the  greatest 
despatch,  armed  all  our  boats,  took  a  number  of  water 
casks  m  tow,  and  when  near  the  beach,  one  of  the  boats 
was  sent  with  the  interpreter  to  ascertain  if  water  could 
be  procured;  and  to  gather  such  information  as  could 
be  obtained  with  reference  to  the  facilities  oi  trade. 
It  was  soon  ascertained  by  the  interpreter  that  the  few 
Spaniards  who  were  there^  appeared  to  be  friendly,  and 


i«iMii«yaka 


11  '.."H 


LIFE   ON  THE   OCEAN. 

oflefed  to  assist  us  in  procuring  water  and  supplies. 
They  also  expressed  much  satisfaction,  being  in  want 
of  goods,  when  they  understood  we  had  such  articles 
on  board  as  would  suit  them.  As  we  had  heard  of  the 
faithlessness  of  Spaniards,  we  did  not  place  much  reli- 
ance on  their  apparent  friendship,  consequently,  every 
precaution  was  taken.  A  few  casks  only  were  landed  at 
a  time,  and  those  under  cover  of  a  strong  detachment 
of  our  men  well  armed  ;  and  the  launch  having  a  swivel 
mounted  in  her  bow,  and  anchored  near  the  beach,  to 
protect  the  party  filling  the  water  casks,  who  were  with- 
m  gan-shot,  affoMed  ample  security  against  all  danger. 

These  arrangements  being  made,  we  proceeded  with- 
out molestation,  and  in  about  three  hours,  filled  all  the 
casks  which  we  brought  with  us,  rolled  them  to  the 
beach,  slung  them,  and  proceeded  on  board.  We  con- 
tinued our  labours  without  interruption  two  days,  and  to 
the  no  small  satisfaction  of  Capt.  W.  completed  our  water- 
ing, succeeded  in  purchasing  at  a  very  low  rate  three 
JiiTiall  bullocks,  which  were  killed  on  shore,  and  supplied 
the  whole  ship's  company  with  fresh  provisions  for  seve- 
ral days. 

April  5.— The  boats  were  employed  for  several  days 
going  to  and  from  the  shore,  bringing  with  them  those 
who  wished  to  trade.  The  captam  of  the  Spanish  ship 
made  large  purchases.  On  the  12th,  the  Spaniard  got 
under  way  and  proceeded  to  Callao,  the  port  of  his 
destination,  and  on  the  14th,  our  land  communication 
was  broken  off  in  consequence  of  the  arrival  of  a  large 
body  of  soldiers  sent  from  the  interior  to  prevent  our 
negotiations.  The  colonel  of  this  detachment,  however, 
offered  to  let  us  trade  if  a  duty  of  20  per  cent,  were  secured 
to  the  government.  But  Captain  W.  suspecting  a  decoy, 
refused  to  have  any  further  communication  with  the 
shore  at  this  place. 

The  Bay  of  Coquimbo  lies  in  the  parallel  of  29°  66' 
south,  and  71°  16'  west  longitude.  This  is  a  perfectly 
safe  and  good  harbour,  where  vessels  may  ride  securely 


a 

t 

h 

n 

£ 

1 

tt 

ci 

tJ 

ei 

n( 

te 

sn 

so 

of 
mi 

CO 

dU 

nu 

th( 

pel 

tra 

pas 

wo 

] 

tua 

elei 

can 

trul 

rise 

an 

thoi 

the 

and 

witi 

ato: 

imaj 

inga 


•V. 


.,-.tl5tM*».*i*i>«»-'i 


™":'^ 


■iiwwffiriWi(HiHiiiii|i  iiiWii 


LIFE   ON  THE  OCEAN. 


ei 


md  supplies, 
eing  in  want 
such  articles 

heard  of  the 
:e  much  reli- 
uently,  every 
ere  landed  at 
I  detachment 
iving  a  swivel 
the  beach,  to 
w  were  with- 
st  all  danger, 
oceeded  with- 
,  filled  all  the 

them  to  the 
rd.  We  oon- 
0  days,  and  to 
sted  our  water- 
ow  rate  three 
1,  and  supplied 
sions  for  seve- 

several  days 

h  them  those 

Spanish  ship 

Spaniard  got 

3  iwrt  of  his 

mmunication 

al  of  a  large 

'  prevent  our 

icnt,  however, 

were  secured 

feting  a  decoy, 

on  with  the 

ie\  of  29°  66^ 
is  a  perfectly 
ride  securely 


against  all  winds,  having  good  anchorage  ground  in 
irom  10  to  15  fathoms  water,  and  is  easy  of  access, 
having  a  wide  entrance,  and  may  bo  known  when  run- 
ning down  the  coast  by  a  remarkably  high  bluff,  which 
forms  the  southern-most  point  to  the  entrance  ot  the  bay. 
The  land  near  the  sea-board  is  high  and  sterile,  but  m 
the  interior,  especially  in  the  valleys,  it  is  rich,  produ- 
cing spontaneously  the  grape  in  abundance  as  well  as 
the  peach  tree,  which  yields  the  finest  peaches  I  have 
ever  eaten.  In  this  region  are  mines  of  copper  ore,  and 
near  this  place  a  vein  has  been  discovered  to  the  ex- 
tent of  twenty  leagues,  bidding  fair  when  the  art  of 
smelting  is  made  known  to  the  Spaniards,  to  become  a 
source  of  vast  revenue. 

From  the  town  of  Coquimbo  to  St.  Jago,  the  capital 
of  Chili,  the  distance  is  about  fifty  leagues.  The  com- 
munication is  kept  up  by  a  road,  or  rather  a  path,  rudely 
constructed,  and!^  the  travelling  is  attended  with  much 
difficulty  and  danger,  because  of  the  narrow  passes  and 
numeious  precipices,  which  are  firequent  as  you  go  over 
the  mountains.  All  travelling;  and  transportation  are 
performed  by  mules;  these  animals  being  so  perfectly 
trained,  that  they  will  go  along  safely  over  the  narrow 
passes  with  their  yawning  gulfs  beneath,  where  a  man 
would  scarcely  venture  to  perform  this  task  on  foot. 

In  the  offing  may  be  se<>n  the  first  range  of  the  perpe- 
tually snow- topped  Andes  or  Cordilleras,  the  highest 
elevation  of  which  is  the  peak  of  Chimborazo.  No  sight 
can  be  presented  to  the  human  eye  or  mind,  more 
truly  sublime  and  magnificent,  than  to  behold  the  sun 
rise  firom  behind  those  lofty  summits,, and  fi-om  beneath 
an  apparently  well  defined  horizon  of  snow;  while  a 
thousand  variegated  hues  are  reflected  by  its  rays  in 
the  clouds  which  lie  between  the  top  of  the  mountain 
and  its  base.  The  intervening  land  strongly  contrasted 
with  the  light  and  shade  thrown  upon  the  clouds,  forms 
at  once  the  most  magnificent  and  picturesque  view  the 
imagination  can  conceive.  I  shall  not  forget  my  feeU 
ings  as  this  sight  first  opened  to  my  view  in  a  mom- 
6» 


^^■flVMi 


62 


LIFE   ON   THK   OCEAff. 


ing  watch,  when  the  silenco  and  solitude  of  ni^ht 
were  dispelled  by  grey-eyed  morning,  and  the  rising 
beams  oi  the  sun  scattering  the  mists  and  vapcmrs  from 
lh«5  land,  proMonted  to  my  vision  the  scene  just  now 
described.  It  was  an  hour  whv  ,  all  the  warring  pas- 
sions of  nature  were  lulled  and  hushed  into  refmse 
by  the  deeper  feelings  of  awe  and  veneration,  in  contem- 
phiting  the  wisdom  and  p<nver  of  the  great  Architect  of 
the  universe. 

April  15.^u   the  morning  at  daylight,  the  shrill 
whistle  and  lioarse  cry  was  heard  of  "all  hands  up 
anchor  a-hoy!"   which  was  soon  done,  and  in  a  few 
minutes  the  ship  Avas  under  a  press  of  canvass,  standing 
out  of  the  bay  of  Coquinibo.    After  getting  a  good  oiling, 
we  shortened  sail  and  stood  down  the  coast ;  it  being 
the  intention  of  Captain  W.  to  look  in  at  the  port  of 
Huasco,  a  distance  of  about  ninety  miles  from  the  last 
jx)rt.    Being  awju-e  that  information  would  be  given  by 
the  captam  of  the  Spanish  ship  on  his  arrival  at  Callao, 
of  tljo  character  and  object  of  our  ship,  it  became  abso- 
lutely necessary  for  us  to  act  with  the  greatest  caution, 
because,  the  Spanish  authorities  no  doubt  would  issue 
orders  to  every  seajiort  town  on  the  coast,  to  have  us 
intercepted,  and  cut  off  if  possible  -,  and  knowing  too, 
that  there  were  Spanish  men-of-war  lying  in  the  port  of 
Callao,  it  was  highly  probable  that  as  soon  as  informa- 
tion was  received  they  would  be  sent  out  in  search  of  us. 
April  17. — Stood  in  and  made  the  land  twenty  miles 
to  the  southward  of  Huasco.    At  11  a.  .m.  being  close  in 
shore,  we  run  down  until  the  port,  or  rather  roadstead, 
hove  in  sight.     When  otf  this  roadstead,  for  it  can 
scarcely  be  called  u  harbour,  a  boat  was  manned  to 
sound,  and  land  if  practicable.    It  was  ascertained  that 
the  anchorage  ground  was  in  very  deep  water,  and  from 
the  heavy  rolling  swell  constantly  setting  in,  the  surf 
ran  exceedingly  high  and  broke  at  a  great  distance  from 
the  beach,  which  made  it  difficult  for  a  boat  to  land 
without  the  risk  of  upsetting  and  the  loss  oi  life.    No 
communication  with  the  shore  was  effected  at  this  time, 


y 

& 
h 
U 

81 

n 

tl 
tl 
W 
w 
at 
til 
di 
w 
ai 
th 
th 
«'£ 
m 
mi 
mi 
vg 

ut 

00 

on 
th( 
im 

ha 

na 

th< 

it 

pai 

W8 

crc 
th( 


de  of  ni^ht 
1  the  rising 
rapoure  from 
t\o  just  now 
warring  pas- 

into  rejjose 
ti,  in  contem- 

Architect  of 

It,  the  shrill 
ill  hands  up 
ad  in  a  few 
ass,  standing 
a  good  ofling, 
ast;  it  being 
I  the  port  of 
from  the  last 
1  be  given  by 
ival  at  Callao, 
became  abso- 
satest  caution, 
t  would  issue 
t,  to  have  us 
knowing  too, 
in  the  port  of 
n  as  informa- 
search  of  us. 
twenty  miles 
)eing  close  in 
ler  roadstead, 
d,  for  it  can 
18  manned  to 
icertained  that 
ater,  and  Drom 
g  in,  the  surf 
distance  iirom 
boat  to  land 
ss  oi  life.    No 
)d  at  this  time, 


•-     ■iupww 


mmmmmfmmm^'mmiifimmmm 


LIFE   ON  THB   OCKAtt.  99 

yet  it  was  determined  to  run  the  ship  in  and  anchor; 
Which  was  done  about  a  mile  from  the  shore,  in  twenty 
fathoms  water.  Two  boats  were  dispatched  to  effect  a 
landing  if  possible.  In  which  were  put  two  coils  of 
large  rope,  a  small  kedge  anchor  and  ouoy,  and  also  a 
small  line.  When  sufficiently  near,  the  anchor  was  let 
go  outside  of  the  rollers,  with  one  end  of  the  large  rope 
made  fast  to  the  buoy,  and  the  small  line  was  bent  on  to 
the  other  end,  so  that  when  the  boat  etfected  a  landing, 
the  large  rope  might  be  hauled  on  shore  and  made  fast 
Watching  for  a  favourable  opportunity,  we  gave  way 
with  the  oars  on  the  top  of  a  heavy  roller,  which  broke 
at  a  little  distance  a  head  of  us,  and  never  shall  I  forget 
the  huge  black  mass  of  water,  which  rose  up  a  short 
distance  astern  of  the  boat,  and  which  came  rolling  on 
with  fearful  rapidity,  as  if  eager  to  swallow  up  the  boat 
and  her  crew.  "Give  way  lads,  !i)r  your  life,"  shouted 
the  officer,  at  the  same  time  keenly  glaticing  at  the 
the  monster  astern,  and  the  bow  of  the  boat  alternately. 
"Starboard  your  oars  there,  keep  her  head  on,  frive  way 
my  boys,  one  length  more  and  we  are  safe !"  At  that 
moment  a  noise  was  heard  like  the  falling  waters  of  a 
mighty  cataract,  it  broke  about  ten  yards  astern,  dashing 
volumes  of  water  far  ahead  of  our  boat  and  throwing  a 
great  quantity  on  board,  while  every  man  exerted  his 
utmost  strength  at  the  oar,  and  at  the  same  time  the 
coxswain  with  great  skill  and  management  kept  her  head 
on — the  surf  driving  her  with  the  utmost  velocity,  and 
the  next  minute  she  struck  Jhe  beach.  We  jumped  out 
immediately  and  soon  hauled  the  boat  clear  of  the  sm£ 
The  landing  being  effected  without  accident,  we 
hauled  the  rope  on  shore  and  made  it  secure,  a  sig- 
nal  was  then  made  to  the  boat  outside.  The  crew  got 
the  bight  of  the  rope  fore  and  aft  the  boat,  leading 
it  from  the  stern  over  the  scull-hole,  securing  the  fan 
part  with  a  stopper  to  prevent  its  slipping  over  the  gun- 
wale. The  oars  were  then  laid  fore  and  sit,  and  the 
crew  seizing  a  favourable  moment,  hauled  away  upon 
the  lope,  and  brought  the  boat  in  great  style  with  the 


i 


k!| 


(34 


LIFE   ON   TIIU   OCEAN. 


rapidity  of  lightning  to  the  beach.  We  were  now  joined 
by  three  HpaniurdN,  front  whom  wo  learned  that  our 
arrival  was  anticipated,  as  there  were  two  merchants 
from  the  interior  who  had  come  from  Coquimbo,  they 
having  got  to  the  latter  place  on  the  day  of  our  departure ; 
and  thinking  we  might  touch  at  Hunsc,  proceeued  here 
with  all  dispatch  to  meet  us.  On  entering  the  town, 
our  api)earance  created  much  curiosity  and  surprise, 
nevertheless  we  were  treated  kindly,  and  every  assu- 
rance was  givenof  their  friendship,  as  well  as  the  proba- 
bility that  we  might  effect  large  sales.  It  was  necessary 
however  to  keep  a  strict  look  out,  and  despatch  our 
business,  being  aware  that  in  a  few  days,  at  most,  troops 
would  be  sent  to  the  different  ports  on  the  coast  to  frus- 
trate our  trade  and  to  cut  us  off.  The  day  having  worn 
away,  it  became  necessary  for  tho  party  to  go  on  board, 
and  the  boats  were  accordingly  ( loared  f^f  the  breakers 
without  accident, as  before  stated,  bringmg  tlie  two  mer- 
chants with  us.  We  lay  here  five  days  making  as  good 
use  of  our  time  as  possible,  being  constantly  engaged  in 
bringing  off  specie  and  transporting  goods  to  the  shore. 
The  town  of  Huasco,  is  situated  in  latitude  28°  26'  south, 
longitude  71°  15'  west.  There  are  about  five  and  twenty 
widely  scattered  huts,  presenting  a  most  uncomfortable 
appearance,  and  constructed  mostly  of  mud  and  brush, 
and  consisting  of  but  one  apartment,  consequently 
whole  families  are  thrown  together  without  distinction 
ofageorsex.  Tropical  fruits  are  here  in  abundance, 
but  vegetables  of  any  description  are  not  to  be  found, 
and  the  reason  is  simply  because  labour  and  industry 
are  required  for  their  cultivation.  The  Spaniards  on  this 
coast  particularly  are  proverbially  lazy.  Nature  seems 
to  have  been  lavish  in  her  bounties  towards  them,  and 
has  thus  made  provision  agaiust  their  constitutional 
defect. 


Tl 


on 

br 

as 

Cc 

ho 

ha 

me 

the 

del 

exj 

in  1 

the 

eve 

mir 

the 

betA 

not 

elut 

dou 

dete 

that 

Islai 

line. 

Cop] 

ingt 

Poin 


*«<l«(^Mfc« 


"il^.i  'inn 


•w^ 


re  now  joined 
nod  that  our 
ivo  merchants 
quirnbo,  they 
3ur  departure ; 
roceeded  here 
iig  the  town, 
and  sitrprise, 
1  every  assu- 
as  the  proba- 
ivas  necessary 
despatch  our 
It  most,  troops 
coast  to  frus- 
having  worn 
»  go  on  board, 
the  breakers 
;  the  two  n»er- 
akiiig  as  good 
ly  engaged  in 
I  to  the  shore. 
28°  26'  south, 
ve  and  twenty 
ixncomfbrtable 
id  and  brush, 
consequently 
tut  distinction 
n  abundance, 
to  be  found, 
and  industry 
iniards  on  this 
Nature  seems 
rds  them,  and 
constitutional 


CHAPTER    VI. 

ZT^ZIZIT   -"— — — T    or  T„«  SP*,- 

on^^ofth?"^'^'"\''"y  "^?  ^^^^y^<^  information  from 
hTi  S"^  Vnish  merchants,  which  obliged  us  io 
break  oft  our  communication  with  the  shore.    It  seen  S 

h^nriVr  w  .  ^?^'  '^"^  ^^ere  expected  to  arrive 
hourly.     He  also  stated  that  the  inhabitints  of  the  town 

menirt""!!"''"  P"",^"«««'  "»^«S  to  de^Tu" 
Jhfl?«fii  1  y""^'''  "'^^  ««'==e  «">•  boats.  It  6ein» 
therefore  hazardous  to  venture  on  shore,  we  »ot  iin* 

not  be  t'he  t,r  T  '"*^  '^'  ««*««'«'  whetK  mlt 
XaJI  ^-^V  P'"*"  *°  '"»  f«r  to  leeward,  so  as  to 
S  Ji«  vigdance  of  the  Spaniards,  which  would  no 
doubt  be  kept  up  along  the  sea-board  It  was  howeve? 
UiatT"n  **  '°  touch  atone  or  two  places  moTe  and  afteJ 
t?  ^u^T^  ^^^^'  ^"^  ^he  leeward  or  the  Cc  "s J 

line     tT,^J!  'f  "'""i'^  "  ""'«  *«  ^he  southward  cf-^f 
line.    The  distance  bemg  small  from  the  last  nort  \  > 

h^7S\r  '°,!il"\"'*  "°*  *°  t^"<^h  at  that  p^SeEw- 
mg  that  It  would  be  hazardous  to  land 

I'omt  Negra.  Stood  close  in,  saw  Point  Negrn  {it  ll  a.  m 


00 


LIFE   ON  THE    OCEAN. 


".•■' 


i  I 


and  discovered  a  few  huts  on  shore.  This  place  pre- 
sented no  shelter  whatever,  and  appeared  to  be  an  im- 
penetrable iron-bound  coast;  nevertheless  great  as  the 
difficulties  apparently  were,  two  boats  were  despatched 
to  reconnoiter,  and  effect  a  landing  if  practicable.  The 
boat  duty  now  became  exceedingly  hazardous,  and  as 
much  elated  as  I  was  when  I  received  my  appointment 
as  bow-man  of  the  second  cutter,  yet  what  with  the  surf, 
the  treachery  of  the  Spaniards,  and  the  great  distance 
we  had  oftentimes  to  pull,  damped  my  ardour,  and  at 
times  I  would  willingly  have  relinquished  my  situation 
in  the  boat  for  the  more  secure  foothold  of  our  ship's 
deck.  Flincliing,  however,  was  out  of  the  question, 
pride  revolted,  and  it  would  have  been  considered  great 
pusillanimity,  besides  I  should  have  been  a  butt  for  all 
the  seamen  on  board.  • 

But  to  return — we  pulled  in  shore  and  for  a  long  time 
could  not  discover  any  place  to  land.  At  length  we  des- 
cried a  point  of  rocks  stretching  out  a  little  distance 
from  the  shore,  to  the  southward  of  which  an  entrance 
was  perceived,  like  a  small  cove.  We  pulled  in  without 
hesitation,  and  fiiund  to  our  great  joy,  a  cafe  and  easy 
landing-place.  We  were  met  on  the  beach  by  two 
Spaniards,  mounted  on  horseback,  and  although  not  in 
uniform,  yet  they  appeared  like  soldiers,  having  a  brace 
of  pistols  in  their  holsters.  As  there  were  fourteen  of 
us,  and  all  well  armed,  we  did  not  fear  them,  although 
every  precaution  was  taken  by  us  to  prevent  surprise. 
From  these  two  men  we  learned  that  they  had  received 
information  of  the  ship  when  she  lay  at  Huasco,  and 
seemed  to  be  perfectly  well  acquainted  with  her  charac- 
ter. They  expressed  a  wish  to  trade,  and  invited  us  up 
to  the  village,  which  invitation  was  declined. 

We  returned  to  the  ship,  and  Captain  W.  thought  it 
most  prudent  not  to  land  unless  some  of  the  Spaniards 
could  be  prevailed  with  to  come  on  board.  The  next 
day  two  boats  were  despatched  under  command  of  Mr. 
C.  third  officer.  On  approaching  the  shore,  several 
{Spaniards  were  in  waiting  on  tlie  beach ;  no  indication 


t 
t 

P 

F 

s 


II 
\« 

S( 

hi 
in 
la 

ell 
di; 
w< 

Fr 

th< 

mi 

by 

of 

on 

tOj 

tur 
pin 

sai 
wei 

-PP 
of 

wit 

firsi 

sen 

and 

OCCJ 

A 
the 
batb 


rhis  place  pre- 
•ed  to  be  an  im- 
!ss  great  as  the 
'ere  despatched 
acticable.  The 
lardous,  and  as 
ny  appointment 
at  with  the  surf, 
!  great  distance 
ardour,  and  at 
ed  my  situation 
d  of  our  ship's 
if  the  question, 
jonsidered  great 
in  a  butt  for  all 

I  for  a  long  time 
t  length  we  des- 
\  little  distance 
ich  an  entrance 
ulled  in  without 

a  safe  and  easy 
!  beach  by  two 

although  not  in 
,  having  a  brace 
vere  fourteen  of 

them,  although 
)revent  surprise, 
ley  had  received 

at  Huasco,  and 
with  her  charac- 
nd  invited  us  up 
lined. 

n  W.  thought  it 
of  the  Spaniards 
aard.  The  next 
jommand  of  Mr. 
B  shore,  several 
1 ;  no  indication 


LIFE   ON  THE   OCEAN. 


67 


Sfi^nnl'®'^  °^  ^^'^^^^y  ^^'•e  manifested  by  them  on 
the  contrary  every  mark  of  kindness  was  showTC 

PertL?thX?b  ''"r^  '^'y  ««--d  ta^r^ 
shin  AfL  ^  ^  ''"''V^^*  '^  '^''wn  expressly  for  the 
Sr.     i/*""^  consultation,  Mr.  C.  and  the  inter- 

&rTs  to  rnn^H^'T*^''!!^ '  P^«^^"«d  upon  ^r^o 
K^  f?  u-^°  ^"  ^•'^^^  ^"h  I'  'r  specie.  Ir  return- 
mgto  the  ship  we  sounded  and  lound  forty  fethoms^f 
water  withm  one  and  a  half  cables  le^th  of  heSLch 
so  that  all  prospect  of  anchoring  Avas  at  an  end  Now 
havmg  these  two  Spaniards  on  board  we  h^d  less  fZ 
n  landmg,  which  we  frequently  did,  and  woci^J^ 
large  qu^uity  of  fresh  meat,  fruits,  &c.  ^     ^"^  * 

Frnm'lhf -'^T^^^^  '^'■'  ^"'^  «^ood  out  in  the  offing 

*  rom  the  mformation  we  had  recently  rereiwrl    «7.^' 

he  indications  of  treachery  at  Huasco  cLtaJ^W^^^^^^^ 

TnSl^nftll  ^^"'P^8^°«  isl'^nds,  which  abounded  in  sea 

appropriately  „™ed,  "  ii  rSjfrS    feTa-^reS 
fii.t'  ^°V\°  1?^''='  3"°  ^""'h  ""ho  line    Since  wl 

♦K  A*^3~'^i^'®  ^^y  ^^^'^S  Sunday,  I  shall  here  take 
the  liberty,  not  having  done  so  before,  to  describe  a  sS 
bath  on  board  of  our  ship.    It  was  the  consult  pLtt 


68 


LIFE   ON  THE   OCEAN. 


since  we  left  the  United  States,  to  de\'ote  Saturday  to 
the  repairing  and  washing  of  our  clothes,  as  well  as  to 
cleansing  the  forecastles  thoroughly,  getting  up  all  the 
chests,  &c.  for  the  purpose  of  ventilation.    This  rule 
was  estabUshed,  so  that  there  might  be  no  unnecessary 
work  on  the  Sabbath  day.    On  Sunday,  every  man  on 
board  was  mustered,  and  examined  as  to  the  cleanliness 
of  his  person  and  clothing.    After  inspection,  it  was  the 
usual  custom  of  captain  W.  co  give  some  wholesome  ad- 
vice relative  to  the  observance  of  morals,  and  to  the 
keeping  of  that  day  particularly.    Although  there  was 
such  a  variety  of  character  on  board,  yet  every  man  hM 
the  most  profound  respect,  as  well  as  the  strongest  confi- 
dence in  captain  W.  and  therefore  liis  advice  was  well 
received,  and  his  orders  implicitly  obeyed.     The  mono- 
tony of  a  sea  life  is  more  deeply  felt  on  Sunday,  than  on 
any  other  day,  and  this  was  strictly  the  case  in  our  ship. 
With  a  large  crew,  the  duty  restricted  to  watch  and 
watch,  of  course  there  was  much  spare  time  ;  conse- 
quently it  was  absolutely  requisite  that  the  men  should 
have  employment,  as  well  as  new  scenes  of  excitement, 
in  order  that  the  time  of  this  long  voyage  might  pass 
away  agreeably.    Yet  on  the  Sabbath  day  at  sea,  when 
no  work  is  going  on,  and  nothing  to  excite  one  but  the 
dull  round  of  ship  duty,  time  necessarily  passes  very 
heavily.    It  would  have  been  a  curious  spectacle  for  a 
landsman  to  have  seen  the  occupation  of  the  crew  du- 
ring the  Sabbath  day.    On  one  side  of  the  forecastle, 
might  be  seen  some  engaged  in  painting  vessels,  land- 
scapes, «fcc.  on  the  other  were  a  group  writing  their  jour- 
nals ;  while  a  third  set  were  learning  navigation,  taught 
by  a  young  shipmate,  who  had  graduated  at  Cambridge. 
There  too  were  the  old  salts,  covering  their  hats  for  the 
purpose  of  making  them  weather-proof  tarpaulins,  or 
grafting  beckets   for  their  chests ;  and  by  the  serious 
countenances  of  another  group  who  sat  reading  the  Bible, 
you  might  have  supposed  that  they  had  received  early 
rehgious  impressions.   Throughout,  the  utmost  harmony 
■  and  good  will  seemed  to  prevail,  and  thus  the  day  passed 


t) 

fi 
w 
t( 
c< 

b4 

Si 
Pl 

ei 

nj 
to 

W; 
is] 
de 
th 
no 
tic 
pa 
of 

UK 

co; 
no 
sm 

It 
th€ 
ne: 

^i 

tur 
tati 
anc 
siz( 


LIFE   ON  THE  OCEAN. 


60 


Saturday  to 
as  well  as  to 
ng  up  all  the 
;.    This  rule 

unnecessary 
jvery  man  on 
le  cleanliness 
m,  it  was  the 
irholesome  ad- 
3,  and  to  the 
gh  there  was 
very  man  had 
wrongest  confi- 
ivice  was  well 

The  mono- 
nday,  than  on 
se  in  our  ship, 
to  watch  and 
time  -,  conse- 
le  men  should 
of  excitement, 
ge  might  pass 
r  at  sea,  when 
te  one  but  the 
y  passes  very 
spectacle  for  a 

the  crew  du- 

the  forecastle, 
■  vessels,  land- 
ting  their  jour- 
igation,  taught 

at  Cambridge, 
sir  hats  for  the 

tarpaiilins,  or 
by  the  serious 
ding  the  Bible, 

received  early 
tmost  harmony 

the  day  passed 


off  with  some  pleasantly,  but  to  many  others  with  the 
the  most  listless  apathy. 

We  continued  on  our  course  to  the  north-west  with 
fine  weather  and  fiesh  breezes  during  the  passage.  All 
who  were  engaged  in  learning  lunar  observations,  had 
the  privilege  of  using  the  sextants  belonging  to  the  offi- 
cers, and  &is  was  the  first  time  I  had  taken  a  distance 
between  the  sun  and  moon.  After  working  up  the  ob- 
servation, I  shaped  a  course  for  Chatham  Island,  which 
proved  to  be  tolerably  correct,  when  we  made  the  island. 

May  9. — Nothing  material  occurred  during  the  last 
eight  or  nine  days.  We  now  found  ourselves  drawing 
up  with  the  Galipagos  Islands,  our  object  being  first  to 
touch  at  Chatham. 

May  10. — At  8  a.  m.  the  welcome  sound  of  "land  ho!" 
was  again  sung  out  from  the  mast-head.  This  was  the 
island  to  which  we  had  shaped  our  course.  From  my 
dead  reckoning,  I  found  that  my  lunar  observation  was 
thirty  miles  out  of  ine  way.  The  island  bore  north- 
north-west  distant  ten  leagues,  and'  is  of  moderate  eleva- 
tion. As  we  drew  nigh  we  could  not  perceive  a  single 
particle  of  shrubbery.  Every  thing  wore  the  appearance 
of  haying  undergone  a  volcanic  eruption.  At  11  a.  m. 
took  in  the  light  sails,  and  preparations  were  made  to 
come  too  in  Stephen's  Bay,  Avhich  shordy  opened  at  the 
north-east  point  At  n)eridian  came  to  anchor  with  the 
small  bower,  in  ten  fethoms  water,  with  good  holding 

?ound,  about  three-fourths  of  a  mile  from  the  beach, 
he  timle  being  found  more  plentiful  on  the  beach  in 
the  morning,  it  was  determined  not  to  land  until  the 
next  day. 

May  il. — Our  five  boats  were  all  hoisted  out  at  day- 
light, and  sixty  men  went  on  shore  with  the  intention 
of  mt^ng  two  parties,  one  to  take  terrapin  and  the  other 
turtle.  We  succeeded  beyond  oui:  most  sanguine  expec- 
tations, having  taken  upwards  of  twenty  fine  large  turtle 
and  as  many  terrapins,  some  of  which  were  of  immense 
size,  weighing  firom  fifty  to  three  hundred  pounds.  We 
found  considerable  difficulty  in  capturing  the  terrapins, 
7 


70 


LtFE   ON   THE   OCEAN. 


not  only  on  account  of  their  size,  but  also  on  account  of 
their  colour,  which  bore  exactly  the  saice  appearance  as 
the  r>  "-ound,  a  dark  brown,  and  which  oftentimes  eluded 
the  vigilance  of  the  sharpest  eye.  We  remained  in  this 
pie  ;e  ir  days,  during  which  time  we  caught  150  turtle 
a-  i  S'  oeeded  in  getting  on  board  1 70  terrapin.  Our 
OL^act  in  coining  to  these  islands  was  not  only  to  evade 
the  vigilance  of  the  Spanish  authorities,  but  to  get  a 
supply  of  turtle  and  water.  After  the  most  diligent 
search  no  water  was  to  be  found  on  this  Island.  As 
before  stated,  such  was  the  sterility  of  the  soil  that  not 
a  single  tree  was  to  be  seen,  and  it  seemed  a  mystery 
how  the  terrapins  could  subsist  on  this  barren  spot — 
unless  it  was  on  the  low  prickly  peai'  bushes,  which 
were  the  only  sign  of  vegetation  we  saw  on  the  island. 
As  we  were  in  no  hurry  to  return  to  the  coast,  it  was 
determined  to  go  to  some  of  the  other  islands  to  procure 
wood  and  water. 

Chatham  Island  is  situated  in  the  parallel  of  50'  south 
latitude  and  89°  20*  Vest  longitude.  The  bay  or  har- 
bour is  commodious  and  safe,  with  good  anchorage,  and 
owing  to  its  being  situated  nearly  under  the  equinoctial 
line,  calm  weather  prevails,  with  however  occasional 
squalls  of  wind  and  rain  of  short  duration,  and  less 
severe  than  within  the  tropic  of  Cancer. 

May  16. — Got  under  way  and  stood  to  sea,  our  inten- 
tion being  to  nm  for  James  Island.  The  wind  being 
light,  we  did  not  make  it  until  the  20th,  at  9  a.  m.  Ran 
close  in  to  ihe  leewaid  and  anchored  in  twenty  fathoms, 
the  shore  presenting  a  ime  long  sandy  beach,  on  which 
we  landed  with  our  boats  without  any  difficulty. 

James  Island  is  situated  in  12'  south  latitude  and  90° 
41'  west  longitude,  and  although  not  so  large  as  Ghat- 
ham,  yet  in  its  soil  it  is  similar  in  many  parts  of  the 
island  ;  but  or.  the  south  side  vegetation  is  more  abun- 
dant. Heretigain  we  were  doomed  to  disappointment; 
no  water  was  to  be  found  after  a  search  of  five  days, 
but  we  caught  a  few  fine  turtle  and  procured  a  quantity 
of  brush  wood.    Terrapin  was  no  where  to  be  feund. 


n  account  of 
ppearance  as 
times  eluded 
ained  in  this 
[ht  150  turtle 
rrapin.  Our 
)nly  to  evade 
but  to  get  a 
nost  diligent 
Island.  As 
1  soil  that  not 
id  a  mystery 
)arren  spot — 
ushes,  which 
)n  the  island, 
coast,  it  was 
ids  to  procure 

3l  of  50' south 
le  bay  or  har- 
ichorage,  and 
le  equinoctial 
er  occasional 
ion,  and  less 

lea,  our  inten- 
3  wind  being 
1 9  A.  M.  Ran 
'enty  fathoms, 
ich,  on  which 
Lculty. 

itude  and  90° 
arge  as  Ohat- 
ly  parts  of  the 
is  more  abim- 
lappointment ; 
of  five  days, 
■ed  a  quanti^ 
to  be  found. 


LIFE   ON  THE   OCEAN. 


71 


As  we  had  been  nearly  a  month  from  the  coast,  and 
calculating  that  it  ^yould  require  from  ten  to  fifteen  days 
to  beat  up  to  windward — our  destination  being  for  the 
port  of  Arica — and  believing  that  all  further  efforts  to 
procure  water  on  these  islands  would  be  fruitless, 
Captain  W.  deemed  it  expedient  to  proceed  forthwith  in 
the  prosecution  of  our  trade.  Accordingly  on  the  25th, 
we  stood  to  spa,  endeavouring  as  much  as  possible  by 
keeping  the  host  tack,  to  worlc  to  the  south  vard,  so  that 
we  might  t'^ke  the  fresh  trade  winds.  Fortunately  the 
wind  favoured,  so  that  by  the  27tli,  we  reached  the 
parallel  of  4°  south,  when  we  took  the  south-east  trade 
winds  and  braced  up  on  the  larboard  tack,  standing  to 
the  south  >,".«!.  The  turtle  and  terrapin  which  we  had 
procured  at  Chatham  Island  proved  of  great  value,  not 
only  on  account  of  their  delicacy,  but  the  consumption 
of  our  salt  provisions  was  lessened,  an  object  of  great 
importance,  as  we  expected  our  stay  on  the  coast  would 
be  prolonged,  and  no  pro\  isions  could  be  salted  down 
in  these  latitudes  so  that  they  would  keep.  The  only 
metliod  practicable  when  we  procured  a  surplus  supply 
of  bullocks,  was  to  cut  the  meat  oft"  in  long  strips, 
put  it  in  pickle  for  two  or  three  days,  and  then  hang  it 
up  in  the  sun  to  dry.  This  is  what  is  called  jerked  beef, 
a  good  substitute  for  salted  provision,  especially  when  it 
is  first  cured,  but  when  it  is  old  it  becomes  dry  and 
hard  and  loses  much  of  its  flavour  and  nutriment  This 
supply  of  turtle  was  not  only  seasonable,  but  rare  and 
delicious,  and  afforded  fresh  messes  for  the  ship's  com- 
pany for  three  months  ;  indeed  turde  soup  was  as  com- 
mon as  pea  soup;  and  terrapin  pies,  as  much  so  as  salt 
beef.  The  terrapin  is  the  best  fresh  sea  stock  that  can 
be  procured ,  because  they  are  attended  with  no  expense 
ana  will  live  for  months  without  food  or  water.  In 
proof  of  this  as  soon  as  they  were  taken,  we  stowed  the 
greater  part  of  them  down  in  the  fore-peak,  and  used 
them  as  occasion  required,  the  last  of  which  was  not 
killed  until  about  seven  months  after  it  was  taken,  and 
when  prepCiA^u  i^.  ".ooking  was  quite  as  &t  as  any  of 


i 


!8i 

Ik 


-'.*l 


72 


UFE   ON  THE   OCEAN. 


II 


the  fisraier.  We  continued  beatim?  to  i.vindvard  with 
fresh  nreezes  from  south-east.  All  dand  *  being  ia  fijiv? 
spirits  and  under  a  good  state  of  discpliaf ,  i/e  wf  te  pr<v 
uared  'd^ain  to  engage  in  our  bus'iesd  on  ^he  c^ait, 
and  di*'  not  fear  and  uttacV  from  lo  o|»5r!  •uienij  of* 
size  superior  to  ourselves. 

June  !0, — During  iite  preceding  day  •.  nothing  remark- 
able occuiTod  and  evory  advaiUii-je  of  tha  change  of 
wind  was  i;;'cen.  W «  }<jimd  ourselves  by  observation,  in 
latitud*^  18'-'  south  and  longitude  76*^  west,  being  fm  to 
the  westwiird  of  Arica.  Laid  tlie  fchip  on  the  starboard 
Uick,  the  wiuvi  being  at  soutVi-east,  and  stood  in  foi  the 
land. 

June  11.  -The  wind  hauled  to  south-soi\;h-easv,  which 
«iiabled  us  (o  make  an  east  coarse  good,  and  every  sail 
wa.s  sc  that  could  draw  on  a  wind. 

June  13.— At  daylight  "land  ho !"  was  sung  out  from 
the  mast-head,  our  latitude  bejisi,'  now  by  calculation 
18°  W  south,  and  longitude  70°  5iY  west.  Stood  in  and 
•sav^  the  port  of  Arica.  A  consultation  was  now  held  by 
the  captain  and  officers  as  to  the  iest  mode  of  procedure, 
as  we  had  previous  information  slat  there  was  a  small 
fort  in  that  place.  It  was  detenu  ined  to  run  in  smd 
anchor  the  ship  in  a  position  so  that  our  broadside 
could  bear  upon  the  fort,  as  well  as  tu  cover  oiir  men  in 
landing. 

Entering  the  harbour  with  the  American  colours 
flying,  we  were  saluted  by  the  fort  with  the  Spanish 
flag.  All  the  boats  were  now  hoisted  out,  the  launch 
having  two  swivels  mounted  in  her  bow  and  the  pin- 
nae )  one;  the  remaining  boats  were  all  well  armed; 
the  number  of  men  in  this  expedition  was  fifty,  under 
the  command  of  Mr.  C.  second  officer,  assisted  by  the 
third  officer.  Orders  were  given  by  Captain  W.  for  one 
boat  to  land  with  the  interpreter,  and  the  others  to 
remain  a  small  distance  from  the  beach,  so  that  in  the 
event  of  an  attack  the  ship  could  play  upon  the  fort, 
while  tfie  expedition  on  shore  was  to  repel  any  force 
which  might  come  against  them.    All  being  now  ready 


til 
re 
in 
ac 
w 
w 

gi 
a^ 
re; 
ce 
bo 
lai 
Sp 
so 
ret 
th( 
Or 
pk 
be 
let 
un 

sh 

th( 

ris< 

W, 

Ou 

wi( 

mo 

hac 

gai 

wh 

wa 

nee 

yai 

to 

Th 

pin 

Th 


adTt-ffird  with 
being  ia  filiL' 
,/e  were  pr«^ 
;n  the  coa&s 
1.  •iaenij  of  a 

hing  remark- 
d  change  of 
bservation,  in 
,  being  fa*  to 
the  starboard 
)od  in  foi  the 

!h-easiwhicfi 
ad  every  sail 

lung  out  from 
ly  calculation 

Stood  in  and 
I  now  held  by 

of  procedure, 
i  was  a  small 
>  run  in  and 
)ur  broadside 
ar  oiir  men  in 

rican  colours 
\  the  Spanish 
;,  the  launch 
and  the  pin- 
well  armed; 
»  fifty,  under 
ssisted  by  the 
in  W.  for  one 
he  others  to 
\o  that  in  the 
upon  the  fort, 
ipel  any  force 
ng  now  ready 


LIFE   ON  THE   OCEAN. 


73 


the  boats  shoved  off,  cheered  by  those  on  board,  end 
responded  to  by  the  crews  of  the  boats.  On  approach- 
ing the  shore  we  found  some  difficulty  in  landing  on 
account  of  the  surf,  although  not  so  heavy  as  that  to 
windward,  yet  it  presented  an  obstacle  to  those  boast 
which  were  ordered  to  lie  off;  the  distance  being  too 
great  for  the  small  arms  to  have  effect.  It  was  however 
agrees'  that  ono  boat  should  land  while  the  others 
remai  .ed  outside  the  rollers,  and  if  necessary  a  precon- 
certed signal  was  to  be  given  by  those  on  shore  to  the 
boats,  when  they  were  iminodiately  to  pull  in.  The 
landing  was  effected  and  we  were  met  by  several 
Spaniards,  some  of  whom  wore  a  dirty  uniform,  who  we 
soon  ascertained  to  be  soldiers.  They  appeared  to 
receive  us  very  courteously,  and  inquired  if  this  was  not 
the  same  ship  that  was  at  Huasco  two  months  since. 
On  the  question  being  evaded,  the  commandant  of  the 
place  made  his  appearance,  when  u  conversation  ensued 
between  him  and  the  interpreter,  in  which  he  agreed  to 
let  us  obtain  a  supply  of  water,  and  carry  on  our  trade 
under  the  proviso  of  a  pretly  large  bribe  to  liimself. 

These  arrangements  being  made,  we  returned  to  the 
ship,  not  however  until  we  ascertained  the  strength  of 
the  fort,  and  the  number  of  men  with  which  it  was  gar- 
risoned. This  intelligence  being  conveyed  to  Captain 
W.  an  expedition  was  prepared  on  the  following  day. 
Oui  wttter  casks  in  tow,  we  repaired  to  the  shore,  and 
with  a  small  line  hauled  our  casks  to  the  beach.  A 
most  arduous  duty  was  now  before  us.  Although  we 
had  ascertained  the  fort  mounted  but  tour  gims  and  was 
garrisoned  by  only  twenty  men,  yet  we  did  not  know 
what  number  mightbe  concealed  in  the  village,  and  it 
was  necessary  that  the  water  casks  should  be  rolled  up 
nearly  to  the  entrance  of  the  town,  about  five  hundred 
yards  firom  where  we  landed.  The  trial,  however,  was 
to  be  made,  even  ■  if  we  should  fail  in  the  attempt. 
The  boats  were  then  all  ordered  on  shore,  except  tBe 
pinnace,  which  was  to  remain  to  haul  the  casks  off. 
These  preparations  being  made  we  immedituely  pro- 

7» 


vmmmnfm 


^4  UFB   ON  THE   OC8AN. 

Cfci'Vjd  to  roll  the  casks  to  the  watering  place,  and  with- 
out -  V  hindrance  whatever,  the  whole  number  were 
filled,  hauled  off  to  the  pinnace  and  slung.  The  com- 
mandant expressing  a  desire  to  visit  the  ship,  two  boata 
were  despatched  to  tow  off  the  water,  and  take  him  on 
board,  while  the  others  remained  at  a  little  distance  from 
the  shore.  In  this  manner  we  proceeded,  until  onr 
watering  was  finished.  We  also  obtained  here  a  con- 
siderable quantity  of  yams,  and  some  tropical  fruit. 

Our  friend  the  commandant  reo«iving  his  bribe,  and 
taking  a  good  survey  of  the  ship,  departed  with  the  pro- 
mise to  assist  us  in  the  prosecution  of  our  trade.  Many 
small  presents  were  sent  on  shore  and  distributed 
among  the  soldiers  and  inhabitants,  which  served  great- 
ly to  secure  their  friendship.  We  remained  here  two 
wesks,  during  which  period  some  heavy  sales  were  made, 
but  as  usual  when  the  Spaniards  had  effected  their  pur- 

Sose,  and  secured  all  they  could  screw  out  of  us,  evi- 
ent  signs  of  treachery  were  observed,  which  roused 
our  suspicions,  when  no  more  communication  was  held 
with  the  shore. 

Mie  28.— At  8  a.  m.  got  under  way,  and  when  about 
half  a  mile  from  the  anchorage,  we  had  positive  proof 
that  our  suspicions  of  the  treachery  of  the  Spaniards 
were  not  ill  founded,  for  we  were  siiluted  by  a  shot  from 
the  fort,  which  fell  a  little  short  of  us.  Not  caring  to 
waste  powder  and  ball  upon  these  miscreants,  'v?  look 
no  notice  of  the  tendered  favour. 

The  port  of  Arica  lies  in  the  parallel  of  18°  27  south, 
79°  19*  west.  It  affords  no  shelter  except  from  the  east- 
north-east  winds,  which  seldom  blow.  The  anchorage  is 
firom  eighteen  to  twenty-five  fathoms  .vrater,  with  sandy 
bottom,  where  vessels  may  ride  m  safety,  the  weather 
being  perpetually  good.  The  town  of  Arica,  as  before 
stated,  has  a  rudely  constructed  fort,  of  but  little  i^n- 
portance.  This  town  or  village,  consists  of  about 
twenty  or  thirty  buildings  or  huts,  which  are  neither 
vind  tight  nor  water  tight.  This  to  be  sure  is  of  little 
importance,  because  the  weather  is  uniformly  warm,  and 
it  seldom  rains  in  these  latitudes. 


•■faitKiriMii**!! 


tee,  and  with- 
number  were 
[.    The  com- 
Kip,  two  boats 
1  take  him  on 
distance  from 
led,  until  our 
sd  here  a  con- 
ical fruit, 
his  bribe,  and 
I  with  the  pro- 
trade.     Many 
(id  distributed 
h  served  great- 
ined  here  two 
lies  were  made, 
scted  their  pur- 
out  of  us,  evi- 
which  roused 
nation  was  held 

nd  when  about 

Kositive  proof 
e  Spaniards 
by  a  shot  from 
Not  caring  to 
reants,  ^ve  took 

fl8°  27  south, 
>t  from  the  east- 
he  anchorage  is 
ter,  with  sandy 
ty,  the  weather 
Irica,  OS  before 
f  but  little  i|n- 
isists  of  about 
ich  are  neither 
I  sure  is  of  little 
rmly  warm,  and 


LIFE   ON  THE   OCftAN. 


76 


Anca  18  the  port  town  to  Arequipa,  the  capital  of  inter- 
mediate Peru.  It  is  situated  east-north-east  from  Arica, 
distant  forty  leagues,  and  is  difficult  of  access,  by  reason 
of  the  high  mountains,  and  the  many  naiTow  passes 
and  defiles,  witli  which  it  is  surrounded,  and  over 
which  no  animals  are  used  for  transportation  or  burthen 
except  mules.  The  land  is  exceedingly  barren;  in 
the  interior  it  is  mountainous  and  rocky,  and  with 
the  exception  of  the  valleys,  it  is  altogether  so  poor,  that 
nothing  can  thrive. 


■''i 


••l».r(ri'a5«aWP 


CHAPTER    VII. 

ItrrORMATION  or  the  CAPTOHE  or  a  boston  ship  by  a  gPAW- 
ISII  CRin  KR— AN  ATTEMPTED  CAPTURE  Of  OUR  BOATS  DE- 
rEATEI}— l-ORT  OF  I8LAY — MEWS  OF  A  SPANISH  CRUISER — 
DESCRIPTION   OF    A    HURRICANE— SEVERE   ENOAOEMKNT, 

We  continued  our  course  to  leeward  during  the  night 
under  short  sail,  calculating  to  be  close  in  with  the  port 
of  Ilo  at  daylight.    In  the  morning  run  in  and  anchored 
in  the  roadstead  in  thirty  fathoms  water.     Nothing  pre- 
sented itself  to  cause  alarm,  as  there  were  only  about 
eight  or  ten  houses  or  huts   that  could  be  perceived, 
consequently,  wo  had  nothing  to  fear,  except  it  might 
be  a  force  from  Aricn.     Here  we  had  no  difficulty  in 
landing  as  there  was  but  little  surf,  a  ledge  of  rocks 
which  lay  off  a  short  distance  from  the  beach  broke 
the  heavy  swell.     When  we  landed  having  taken  the 
same  precaution  as  usual,  the  inhabitants  both  men  and 
wom«n  came  down  to  the  beach,  and  among  them  was 
an  Irishman,  whose  appearance  indicated  a  person  of 
some  distinction.     From  liim  we  learned  that  the  ship 
Belle  Sauvage  of  Boston,  had  been  captured  about  three 
weeks  before  by  a  Spanish  cruiser,  and  sent  into  Callao. 
We  Ivuew  that  the  Bello  Sauvage  was  bound  to  the  north- 
wesl  coast,  and  it  was  probable  she  had  touched  here  to 
dispose  .  f  part  of  her  cargo,  which  supposition  was  con- 
firmed-by  tho  Irishman,  who  infomied  us  that  she  was 
capturfPin  /    ca.     It  was  no  mystery  to  us  why  we 
were  kept  in  .-  lorahce  of  the  circumstance  when  there, 
they  probably  hoping  we  would  meet  a  similar  fate. 
This  Irishman  expressed  a  great  desire  to  make  purcha- 
ses from  us,  stating  that  he  was  a  merchant  and  had  been 
a  resident  of  Arequipa  some  years.    We  returned  to  the 
ship  with  him,  when  he  bargained  with  Captam  W.  for 
a  large  amount  of  merchandise,  which  was  immediate- 


I3 
si 
b: 

» 

w 
fii 
in 

St 

T 
w 
th 
be 
in 
bo 
wl 
ha 
mi 
iai 
ou 
thi 
tio 
cat 

wa 

siti 
sec 

GUI 

cor 
sov 
the 
pla 
Ian 
Sto 
I 
she 
wh 
sea' 
east 


LIFE   ON  THE   OCBAIf. 


n 


HIP  BY  A  BPAir- 
UUR  BOATS  DE- 
il»H  CRUISER — 
UKMENT. 

ring  the  night 
with  the  port 
and  anchored 
Nothing  pre- 
re  only  about 
be  perceived, 
Kcept  it  might 

0  difficulty  in 
ledge  of  rocks 

beach  broke 
ing  taken  the 
both  men  and 
ang  them  was 

1  a  person  of 
i  that  the  ship 
3d  about  three 
at  into  Callao. 
d  to  the  north- 
)uched  here  to 
ition  was  con- 
3  that  she  was 
3  us  why  we 
,e  when  there, 
a  similar  fate. 

make  purcha- 
t  and  had  been 
returned  to  the 
Captain  W.  for 
as  immediate- 


ly made  ready  for  delivery.    Two  boats  were  sent  a 
shore  with  him,  and  in  about  two  hours  he  returned 
bnngmg  the  amount  of  his  purchases  in  specie.    The 
goods  were  landed  safely,  after  which  he  coming  off 
several  times,  suspicions  were  finally  awakened  that  ho 
was  a  spy.     The  next  day  those  suspicions  were  con- 
firmed, for  while  one  of  the  boats  was  on  shore  with  the 
interpreter  endeavouring  to  make  a  bargain  for  some  fi-esh 
^ck,  a  plan  was  laid  to  seize  the  boat  and  cut  us  off. 
Ihis  was  done  by  a  party  of  Spaniards  in  conjunction 
with  this  Irishman.    They  endeavoured  to  get  between 
the  boat  and  our  men,  who  all  but  one  wore  on  the 
beach  seeing  this,  and  not  liking  their  movements,  the 
interoreter  said  to  the  officer  of  the  boat,  "we  will  go  on 
board."    Upon  this,  the  Spaniards  renewed  their  efforts, 
when  the  interpreter  immediately  took  sand  in   both 
hands  and  threw  it  in  the  face  and  eyes  of  the  Irish- 
man, creating  considerablo  confusion  with  the  Span- 
iards ;  in  the  midst  of  which  we  succeeded  in  gaining 
our  boat  where  all  our  muskets  were  stowed.  On  seeing 
the  muskets  presented  the  Spaniards  fled  with  precipita- 
tion, and  thus  ended  our  adventure  and  the  communi- 
cation with  Ho. 

Jttly  7. — Weighed  anchor  and  stood  out  to  sea.  It 
was  now  certain  that  as  we  approached  Callao,  our 
situation  became  more  critical  and  dangerous,  in  con- 
sequence of  which  Captain  W.  was  undetermined  as  to 
our  future  operations.  He  soon  however  came  to  the 
conclusion  to  touch  at  the  port  of  Islay,  which  lies 
south-westerly  twenty-five  leagues  distant  firom  Ilo,  i^d 
then  to  run  far  to  leeward.  In  accordance  with  this 
plan  we  shortened  sail  during  the  night,  ran  close  to  the 
land,  and  at  nine  a.  m.  July  8th,  made  the  port  of  Islay. 
Stood  in  and  anchored  in  thirty-five  fethoms  water. 

Islay  can  scarcely  be  called  a  harbour,  as  it  afforfs  no 
shelter  whatever  except  firom  the  south-east  winds, 
which  are  broken  by  a  high  bluff  of  rocks,  extending 
seaward  about  three-quarters  of  a  mile,  ranging  nearly 
east  and  west.    There  is  also  another  ledge  of  rocks 


78 


LIFE   ON  THE   OCEAN. 


■'! 


I  ■ 

+ 


m 


about  a  quarter  of  a  milo  rrom  tho  sliorc,  ninning  north 
and  soum,  distanco  ono  mile,  which  flticctually  brcakM 
tho  NUrf  that  rolls  in  with  tromondous  violence  on  the 
other  jmrts  oC  the  shore;. 

Two  boatH  wore  inannr'd,nrmod,  and  despatched  with 
orders  that  no  ono  should  land  except  the  interpreter. 
On  approaching  the  beach  we  saw  several  Spaniards 
awaiung  our  arrival.  No  nppearanre  of  treachery  was 
discerned  among  tliom.  The  interpreter  went  on  shore 
and  held  a  consultation,  the  result  of  which  was  that  a 
boat  was  to  be  sent  on  shore  the  next  morning  before 
daylight,  when  two  Spaniards  wore  to  bo  in  waiting 
with  specie  to  repair  on  boaril  the  ship  to  make  pur- 
chases. Acconhng  to  this  nrrant,'euient,  we  proceeded 
on  shore  and  brought  them  off  with  their  specie.  From 
these  men  we  rec«uvcd  most  important  infonnation, 
namely,  that  an  armed  lugsj;er  of  great  force,  mounting 
two  thirty-two  pounders  on  pivots, and  eight  long  nines, 
with  a  complement  of  two  hundred  and  fifty  mwi, 
pierced  for  sixty  sweeps,  hud  been  fitted  out  at  Callao, 
and  had  actually  sailed  in  company  with  a  Spanish  sloop- 
of-war  six  days  previous,  to  cruise  in  quest  of  us ;  and 
that  they  were  probably  then  hovering  near  by.  This 
news  created  universal  excitement  throughout  the  ship, 
especially  as  a  dead  calm  jirevailod  ;  not  a  ripple  or  cats- 
paw  was  visible  over  the  wide  waste  of  waters.  The 
sun  shone  brilliantly  on  the  broad  face  of  the  Pacific, 
the  ocean  presented  to  the  eye  a  smooth  glassy  surface, 
and  the  slumbering  deep  always  portentous  of  a  coming 
storm,  especially  in  the  season  and  latitudes  of  the 
tornado— rthis  combination  of  circumstances  produced  a 
kind  of  secret  foreboding  among  the  crew  of  a  coming  evil. 
It  was  not  however  a  dread  of  the  desolating  humcane, 
so  much  as  a  fear  of  being  attacked  by  the  enemy  in 
the  night,  while  at  anchor  during  this  calm. 

At  meridian  the  cry  of  "sail  ho !"  was  simultaneously 
heard  from  the  fore  and  main  royal-yards ;  but  the 
stranger  was  at  so  great  a  distance  in  the  offing  that  her 
character  could  not  be  ascertained  with  the  glass.    At 


tIFE   ON  THE   OCEAN. 


7» 


ninning  north 
ictually  breakti 
ulctice  on  the 

ispatched  with 
ho  interprfttcr. 
oral  Spaniards 
treachery  was 
went  on  shore 
lich  was  that  a 
norning  before 
bo  in  waiting 
to  make  pur- 
,  we  proceeded 
specie.  From 
It  information, 
3rce,  mounting 
jrht  long  nines, 
md  fifty  man, 

out  at  Callao, 
Spanish  sloop- 
est  of  us ;  and 
near  by.  This 
ghout  the  ship, 
a  ripple  or  cats- 
:  waters.  The 
of  the  Pacific, 
glassy  surface, 
)us  of  a  coming 
ititudes  of  the 
cos  produced  a 
ifa  coming  evil, 
iting  humcanc, 

the  enemy  in 
ilm. 

simultaneously 
fards ;  but  the 
)  offing  that  her 
I  the  glass.    At 


Wnse  ,  the  distance  being  shortened  between  ns.she  wan 
seen  fro.n  the  topMul  yard.     The  crisis  had  i^w  nc^fj 
arrived,  as  no  rh.nbt  re.nained  with  Captain  VV  but  ffi 
the  strange  sail   ir.  tho  oifh.g  was  a  ,  o  e my   coiJe 
quently  the  ship  was  p,.t  in  c.upleto  readine^   fc  acSm 
All  hands  were  .railed  with  orders  to  rem-.in  at  uuarte?« 
durmg  the  night,  tho  lights  wore  fcxtinfi,  s  hj'  '„  f  « 
prolound  Mleiu-o  reig„od,  which  was  on  ^    tei^ 
by  tho  roaring  surf  on  tho   b.-ach,  or   tho  occas  onal 
scream  of  a  sea-sull  winch  in  vaiil  sought  1^,31  v 
Tn^ZT''^  '""  '"'^'"'  '^  ^''^  turbulorfce  of  tho  tt 
"tJeorge,"  said  an  old  salt,  who  was  stationed  at  tho 
gim  with  lae  and  who  had  served  seven  ye  rs  o    boird 
of  an  English  man-of-war,  "I'll  miss  my  reel  'ninsrif 
morrow.''    "  """  ^'"^  "^"^^  ^'"^"  sho'oting-iC'to-' 
"Why?"  said  I. 

i'Becauso,"  he  replied,  "I  never  knew  such  a  day  and 
night  of  calm  as  this,  in  all  my  goin-  to  sea  tha  w^- 
not  followed  by  a  brush  or  a  storni  of  some  kh'id^    iVo 
years  ago  I  was  on  board  of  a  West  Indiaman  out  of 
York,  bound  to  St.  Thomas,  and  when  abom  two  Lf 
sail  from  the  island,  one  morning  it  fell  dead  cahn  \Jst 
such  a  time  as  we  have  had  to-day  Bft  all  tlfe  worid 
Our  skip,3er,  an  old  trader,  did  not  seem  to  be  o,S 
easy  in  his  miiul  that  day   so  before  nigh    the  hrjs 
were  turned  up  and  wo  got  all  the  light  spar   dowron 
deck,  housed  the  top-gallant-mast,  close  reefed  tZ  to,? 
sails,  furled  the  courses,  jib  and 'trysail,  goipreveSS 
lashings  on  the  boats  and  spars,  and  hove  SverCd  S 
the  useless  lumber  from  the  deck.  ^'""«ra  au 

„n!lTJ'Ti,^'l"-  '^^  "'^^'^  '^  remained  calm  as  a  clock 
and  the  little  brig  lay  on  the  water  just  like  thatnih«V^  ' 
we  saw  ofiCape^'Ho'rn  riding  overCe  sea' wi^ufe 
under  its  wing  asleep.    In  the  morning,  'the  sun  mSSJ 

J^in  fh*"""  1^'"'  *u"^  ""^"y  «°°"  ^  b&k  cloud  Se 
up  m  the  north-north-east  quarter.    The  mnto  ho^^ 

watch  on  deck  and  called'  the  old  skip^^ru^,  who 


—^ 


WH'jIT  j^g!?1t  ^ 


80 


LIFE   ON  THE   OCEAN. 


didn't  take  much  time  to  put  on  his  knee  buckles.  As 
soon  as  he  got  on  deck  he  clapped  his  phiz  to  windwaid 
which  looked  for  all  the  world  like  a  hard  north- \7ester. 
The  cloud  soon  rose  and  passed  over  astern  of  us  to  the 
westward,  then  pile  upon  pile,  they  showed  their  black 
heads  like  mountains  m  the  eastern  board..  'Clew  up 
the  main-topsail,'  shouted  the  captain,  'lay  aloft  there, 
fiiri  the  sails,  clap  on  preventer  gaskets,  hook  on  the 
rolling  tackle,  bowse  it  taut,  and  secure  the  yard, — 
cheerily  men.' 

"We  sprung  aloft,  furled  the  topsail  and  were  soon  on 
deck.  'Away  forward,'  cried  he,  'clew  up  the  fore-top- 
sail, and  hand  it ;  bear-a-hand,  and  lay  down  off  the 
yard.' 

"Just  as  we  got  the  bunt  gasket  made  fast,  I  took 
a  squint  to  windward,  and  sure  enough  I  saw  it  a 
coming;  the  black  clouds  had  nearly  overspread  the 
heavens,  and  the  cold  misty  rain  was  driving  along 
towards  us  by  the  violence  of  the  wind.  The  sea  rose, 
and  along  came  a  huge  mass  of  black  water,  which  I 
knew  very  well  if  it  came  on  board  would  swamp  the 
little  brig.  'Lay  down  for  your  lives,'  shouted  the  cap- 
tain,  'and  come  aft,  secure  yourselves  every  man  of  you, 
hard-a-port.' 

"Just  at  that  rfioment  the  violence  of  the  winds  struck 
us  a-beam  and  having  nothing  on  her  but  the  fore-top- 
mast-stay-sail, she  payed  off  before  the  wind,  and  took 
the  heavy  rolling  sea  on  her  quarter,  and  in  a  few 
minutes  she  was  scudding  away  before  it,  at  the  rate  of 
eleven  knots. 

"The  next  hour  it  blew  a  hurricane,  each  succeeding 
sea  grew  higher,  and  rolled  heavily  after  us  with  fearful 
rapidity,  as  if  driven  along  by  the  imp  of  darkness, 
eager  to  swallow  us  up  as  his  prey.  Just  then,  a  loud 
dw  of  thunder  rose  high  above  the  roaring  hurricane, 
and  a  sharp  flash  of  lightning  played  round  the  masts 
and  rigging,  like  a  blaze  of  fire ;  it  came  from  the  north- 
west quarter.  'Starboard  your  helm,  haul  in  the  lar- 
board head  brace !'  roared  out  the  old  skipper,  in  a  tone 


( 
c 
^ 

n 

u 

h 
f( 

ai 
ir 
h 
ol 
as 
in 
k] 
m 
ax 
th 

so 

01 
Wi 

he 

no 
ca 
cU 
thi 
sti 
wi 


MPE   ON   THE   OCEAN. 


81 


e  buckles.  As 
iz  to  windward 
j  north-wester. 
8m  of  us  to  the 
ired  their  black 
ird.i  «Clew  up 
lay  aloft  there, 
s,  hook  on  the 
re  the  yard, — 

d  were  soon  on 
up  the  fore-top- 
T  down  off  the 

de  fast,  I  took 
igh  I  saw  it  a 
overspread  the 
driving  along 
The  sea  rose, 
water,  which  I 
juld  swamp  the 
houted  the  cap- 
ery  man  of  you, 

16  winds  struck 
3ut  the  fore-top- 
wind,  and  took 
and  in  a  few 
it,  at  the  rate  of 

sach  succeeding 
•  us  with  fearful 
ip  of  darkness, 
list  then,  a  loud 
aring  hurricane, 
9und  the  masts 
I  from  the  north- 
baul  in  the  lar- 
kipper,  in  a  tone 


which  was  heard  distincUy  amid  the  contending  ele. 
ments ;  but  it  was  too  late,  the  hurricane  suddenly 
shifted  eight  points  into  the  north-western  board  and 
struck  her  on  the  beam ;  and  at  the  same  moment,  the 
heavy  rolling  sea  from  the  eastward  was  close  a  board 
part  of  which  as  she  lifted  her  stern,  tucked  her  under 
the  counter— away  went  the  fore-topmast-stay-sail  clean 
out  of  the  bolt-ropes,  and  the  next  moment,  a  heavy 
combing  sea  fell  a  board,  throwing  poor  JaJk  Evans 
who  was  at  the  helm,  twenty  yards  from  the  brig,  and 
down  she  went  smack  on  her  beam-ends.    I  shall 
never  forget  that  scene,"  said  the  narrator  mournfully; 
"35  we  clung  to  the  starboard  side  of  the  little  brie,  we 
heard  the  cnes  of  poor  Jack,  and  saw  him  strugglinff 
for  life  on  the  top  of  a  sea.    This  sight  set  my  eye  mImM 
agoing,  and  turning  away  I  saw  the  old  skipper  crawl- 
mg  along  towards  the  main-channels.    'Follow  me!' 
he  shouted,  'and  lend  a  hand  to  cut  away  the  lanyards 
of  the  main-riggiiig.'    I  crept  along  the  side  after  him 
as  well  as  I  could,  and  we  succeeded  in  gaining  the 
main-channels     'Now,'  said  the  old  skipper,  'a  sharp 
kmte,  and  a  clear  conscience— cut  away  the  lanyards, 
my  lads.'    We  both  fell  to,  they  were  soon  cut  w 
and  the  mainmast  went  by  the  board,  carrying  with  it 
the  fore-topmast  and  jib-boom.  » 

"The  little  craft  now  being  relieved  of  her  burthen 
soon  began  to  right,  which  the  old  man  perceiving,  sung 
out  'thank  God,  my  lads,  she  rights !'  and  leadfilg  thf 
way  himself,  shouted,  'come  on  my  boys,  let's  frel  her 
from  these  sticks  or  thoy  wUl  make  daylight  through 

„  J"?^  n  "^^  u°*  *^®  ^°''^  ""^  ^  "^'""^^^  but  there  were 
no  skulkers  there  j  every  man  did  his  duty  from  the 
captain  down,  and  in  an  hour  and  a  half,  the  wi«ck  was 
cleared,  she  was  nearly  upright  on  her  bottom,  every 
thing  swept  clean  from  the  decks  with  only  one  solitary 
stick  standing,  driving  away  before  the  terrific  hurricane. 
^*{"  maddening  fury,  'sound  the  pumps  there—'  " 
*  had  listened  up  to  this  moment  with  breathless 
8 


82 


UFE   ON   THE   OCEAN. 


attention,  and  as  Joe  Green  progressed  in  this  exciting 
narration,  his  voice  became  distinctly  audible. 

"Silence  there  I"  said  Mr.  L.  our  first  officer,  who  had 
been  sweeping  round  the  horizon  with  his  night-glass, 
and  then  addressing  Captain  W. 

"Yonder  is  a  sail,  sir,  on  our  larboard  quarter,  between 
us  and  the  land." 

This  was  corroborated  by  the  second  and  third  offi- 
cers, who  in  their  turn  swept  the  horizon  with  the  night 
glass. 

"Lay  the  ship's  larboard  broadside  to  the  strange  sail 
with  the  spring,"  said  Captain  W. 

This  order  was  instantly  obeyed,  and  all  was  again 
quiet,  the  strange  -sail  having  now  disappeared,  being 
shut  in  with  the  land. 

It  was  now  midnight,  the  Spaniard  had  completed 
his  purchases,  and  two  boats  under  command  of  the 
third  officer,  were  despatched  with  him  and  his  mer- 
chandise— with  orders  to  return  to  the  ship  as  speedily 
as  practicable. 

The  night  wore  away  and  at  the  dawn  of  day,  on  the 
10th,  we  discovered  that  the  officers  were  not  deceived. 
There  she  lay  inside  of  the  rocks,  her  hull  nearly  con- 
cealed from  our  deck,  exhibiting  to  our  view  nothing 
but  a  lugger's  spars.  We  now  began  to  realize  what  we 
so  much  dreaded,  being  within  gun-shot  of  the  enemy, 
in  a  dead  calm,  with  little  probability  of  crippling  him, 
and  no  chance  of  getting  out  of  his  reach  unless  a 
breeze  should  spring  up. 

At  half  past  five,  a.  m.  the  stars  and  stripes  were 
hoisted  at  the  peak,  and  the  broad  pennant  at  the  main; 
a  gun  was  fired  to  leeward  with  blank  cartridge,  the 
signal  of  a  friend.  She  responded  to  our  friendly  indi- 
cation, by  hoisting  the  Spanish  flag,  and  firing  a  thirty- 
two  pound  shot,  which  fell  a  short  distance  astern  of  us. 
And  now  the  action  began.  The  order  was  given  by 
Captain  W.  to  elevate  the  guns  of  the  first  division, 
so  as  if  possible  to  cut  away  the  enemy's  spars. 
Presently  a  broad  sheet  of  flame  issued  firom  the  lar- 


this  exciting 

)le. 

cer,  who  had 

5  night-glass, 

irter,  between 

nd  third  offi- 
irith  the  night 

le  strange  sail 

all  was  again 
tpeared,  being 

lad  conipleted 
nmand  of  the 
I  and  his  met- 
lip  as  speedily 

of  day,  on  the 
)  not  deceived, 
ill  nearly  con- 
view  nothing 
salize  what  we 
of  the  eneniy, 
crippling  him, 
sach  unless  a 

stripes  were 
It  at  the  main; 
cartridge,  the 

friendly  indi- 
firing  a  thirty- 
e  astern  of  us. 
was  given  by 

first  division, 
nemy's   spars, 
from  the  lar- 


,.,>...-    .j.aj--fc5**t**>*---'»-- 


LIFE   ON  THE   OCEAN. 


8JI 


board  side,  and  for  a  moment  our  ship  was  enveloped 
in  smoke ;  it  soon  cleared  away  and  there  th';  enemy 
lay  uninjured  by  our  fire.  A  brisk  cannonading  was 
kept  up,  and  we  soon  perceived  that  our  position  was 
not  a  very  enviabje  one.  Every  shot  from  our  op- 
ponent's thirty-two  pounders  told  well. 

"I'll  bet  a  month's  grog,"  said  the  gunner's-mate,  as 
he  was  looking  over  the  side  at  one  of  the  shot  which 
came  skipping  along  the  water,  "that  that  shot  makes 
daylight  through  our  ship." 

Sure  enough,  it  struck  the  quick  work,  took  off  the 
top  of  the  companion  way,  and  cut  away  two  shrouds 
of  the  mizzen  rigging.  Single  shots  were  now  dis- 
charged at  the  enemy  but  without  eflFect.  The  execu- 
tion of  the  enemy's  sliot  now  became  fearful;  every 
deck  plank  was  shivered  athwart  ship ;  the  main  and 
mizzen  rigging  and  slings  of  the  fore-yard  were  cut 
away ;  three  men  lay  dead,  and  seven  wounded ;  and  it 
became  absolutely  necessary  for  the  safety  of  the  ship 
and  crew,  either  to  get  out  of  her  reach,  or  to  use  some 
stratagem  to  decoy  her  out  of  her  place  of  security  fixjm 
behind  the  rocks.  Just  then  a  light  air  sprung  up  from 
off  the  land,  and  we  ceased  firing. 

"Away  there  aloft  topmen,  and  loose  the  sails,  man 
the  topsail,  top-gallant  and  rcryal  sheets,  see  the  cable 
all  ready  to  slip ;"  were  the  orders  given  in  quick  suc- 
cession, and  as  quickly  obeyed.  In  ten  minutes  the 
ship  was  under  skysails,  the  cable  was  slipped,  lier  head 
canted  to  starboard,  and  the  boats  had  her  in  tow,  i'lf 
two  boats  having  just  returned  from  the  shore.  TI  a 
breeze  did  not  las*  more  than  fifteen  minutes,  when  it. 
again  fell  calm,  and  from  the  heavy  swell  which  set  in, 
it  was  impossible  to  tow  her  ahead  with  the  boats. 
The  swell  setting  her  in  towards  the  rocks,  r^^'ged  us 
again  to  anchor,  the  boats  were  ordered  alongside,  the 
light  sails  clewed  up,  the  topsails  let  run  on  the  cap,  and 
the  ship  was  brought  up  ^vith  the  stream  anchor,  backed 
by  the  icedge,  in  forty  fiithoms  water.  For  a  few  minutes 
the  Spaniard  ceased  firing  and  we  perceived  he  was 


*    ■■! 


•mm 


Mm 


T 


84 


LIFE  ON  THE   OCEAN. 


getting  under  way.    Captain  W.  addressing  the  crew 
said — 

"Now  my  men,  the  Spaniard  is  under  the  impression 
that  he  ha  jilenoed  us  and  intends  to  carry  us  by  board- 
ing. We  will  not  undeceive  him  till  he  gets  fairly 
within  short  gun-ishot.  Recollect  the  American  flag 
must  never  be  struck  to  that  Spaniard.  Away  then  to 
your  quarters,  let  the  larboard  broadside  be  changed 
with  round  and  grape,  and  let  not  a  shot  be  spent  in 
vain." 

The  lugger  now  came  from  behind  the  rocks,  pulling 
boldly  with  her  sweeps  head  on. 

"Are  all  the  divisions  ready?"  demanded  Capt.  W. 
which  was  answered  in  the  affirmative.  "Mind,"  said 
he,  "that  you  depress  the  muzzles  of  your  guns,  so  as  to 
hull  the  rrscal." 

"Aye,  aye,  sir !"  said  an  old  tar,  who  was  captain  of  a 
gun  near  to  that  at  which  I  was  stationed,  and  which 
he  had  christened  Nancy  Dawson.  So  saying  he  clap- 
ped his  eye  to  the  breech  and  patting  the  gun  most 
affectionately,  said — 

"That  cut-throat  rascal  shall  hear  some  of  your  small 
t&llc  urBSGntlV"" 

The  lugger  had  now  approached  to  within  half  gun- 
shot, head  on;  the  order  Avas  now  given  to  lay  the 
ship's  broadside  with  the  spring  so  as  to  give  the  enemy 
a  raking  fire.  The  movement  was  quickly  perceived 
by  the  lugger,  and  her  head  was  immediately  pulled 
round  with  the  -^yeeps,  so  as  to  bring  her  starboard 
broadside  to  bear.' 

"Are  you  xe-^y  fore  and  aft  ?"  said  Capt.  W. 

'•Aye,  aye '    was  the  reply. 

«Fire!" 

The  whole  broadside  was  discharged,  which  shook 
the  ship  fiom  the  kelson  to  the  truck,  and  which  en- 
veloped her  in  a  cloud  of  smoke.  In  a  few  moments  it 
cdetured  aMray— the  lugger's  mizzenmast,  main  topmast, 
mad  bowsprit  were  gone ;  and  as  we  afterwards  learned, 
onto  of  kist  thirty-two  pounders  was  capsized,  seventeou 


. ,  '-^^^iMV^tAltcUMen*^  v^i:— 


e 
n 

V 

o 
n 
a 

e 
n 
e: 
b 
ai 
li 

d 
ii 

S( 

t\ 

sj 
ai 
fe 
to 

w 
ta 
fu 
di 
w 


ling  the  crew 

he  impression 
J  lis  by  board- 
16  gets  fairly 
Lmerican  flag 
Away  then  to  . 
?  be  charged 
}t  be  spent  in 

rocks,  pulling 

3ed  Capt.  W. 
"Mind,"  said 
guas,  so  as  to 

IS  captain  of  a 
3d,  and  which 
aying  he  clap- 
the  gun  most 

of  your  small 

thin  half  gun- 
sn  to  lay  the 
ive  the  enemy 
jkly  perceived 
diately  pulled 
her  starboard 

)t.  W. 


,  which  shook 
and  which  en- 
)w  moments  it 
main- topmast, 
wards  learned, 
zed,  seventeeu 


LIFE   ON  THE   OCEAN. 


81; 


men  lay  dead  upon  her  decks,  and  twenty-eight  were 
wounded.  Jack  Sawyer,  who  was  captain  of  the  gun 
"Nancy  Dawson,"  seeing  the  lugger  *,  mizzenmast  cut 
away,  jumped  in  ecstacy  of  joy,  and  kissing  the  breech 
of  his  gun,  swore  that  the  shot  from  Nancy  cut  away 
the  mizzenmast.  The  lugger  by  this  time  had  her 
head  pulling  in  shore. 

"Elevate  your  guns  with  precision,  load  and  fire  as 
fast  as  you  can,  and  sink  the  Spaniard,"  said  Capt.  W. 

This  order  was  unnecessary  as  the  men  had  become 
exasperated  to  the  highest  pitch  for  the  loss  of  our  ship- 
mates. Our  firing,  however,  soon  proved  useless,  for 
with  the  aid  of  her  sweeps  she  was  in  a  short  time  out 
of  gun-shot,  pulling  along  shore.  Three  cheers  were 
now  given,  and  as  we  were  all  eager  for  the  fight, 
asked  liberty  of  Capt  W.  to  cut  her  out  with  the  boats. 

•  Nn,"  said  he,  "you  have  fought  bravely  and  blood 
ei  ough  has  been  spilt  already,  no  doubt  but  that  you 
might  carry  the  cowardly  dog,  but  it  wv-ald  be  at  the 
expense  of  some  of  your  lives.  We  have  a  long  cruise 
be  r  us  yet,  and  probably  shall  have  occasion  to  use 
ail  t..e  ammunition  on  board;  besides,  I  value  your 
lives  more  than  that  dastardly  Spaniard." 

This  had  the  desired  effect  with  the  crew.  The 
decks  were  cleared,  the  launch  and  pinnace  succeeded 
in  weighing  the  anchor,  which  had  been  slipped  and 
soon  brought  it  alongside,  the  cable  Was  taken  in,  and 
the  anchor  hove  to  the  bows.  A  light  breeze  now 
sprung  up  from  off  the  land,  the  boats  were  hoisted  in 
and  stowed,  the  stream  anchor  was  hove  up,  and  in  a 
few  minutes  she  was  under  a  press  of  sail,  standing  out 
to  sea  to  repair  damages  and  bury  the  desa. 

We  stood  off,  the  b  eeze  increasing  and  at  sunset 
were  out  of  sight  of  the  land.  The  light  sails  were  all 
taken  in,  and  as  Capt.  W.  was  undecided  as  to  our 
future  operations,  we  steered  away  to  the  northward 
during  the  night  under  easy  sail.  The  following  day 
was  set  apart  for  the  burial  of  our  dead. 

July  11.— This  morning  the  sun  rose  in  a  cloudless 
8» 


in 


im 


I'  ■ 


LIFE   ON  THE   OCEA.N. 

and  now  the  excitement  of  battle  bein^  over,  a 
universal  sadness  was  felt  throughout  the  ship  for  the 
loss  of  our  three  young  shipmates,  and  the  fate  of  two 
others  who  it  was  supposed  were  mortally  wounded. 
The  corpses  were  sewed  in  their  hammocks,  and  every 
preparation  was  made  for  a  burial  at  sea.    At  10  a.  m. 
the  ship  was  hove  too,  with  the  main-topsail  at  the  mast. 
All   hands  were  piped  on  deck,  and  the  bodies  were 
laid  on  planks  in  the  gangway.    The  captain's  clerk 
commenced  the  funeral  service  of  the  Episcopal  church. 
"Man,  that  is  born  of  a  woman,  &c."    There  stood  the 
old  tars  who  had  braved  many  a  storm  and  faced  the 
enemy  at  the  cannon's  mouth,  with  their  hard  features 
and  brawny  limbs.    The  moment  the  service  com- 
menced, their  eye-pumps  gave  way,  and  the  salt  tears 
fell  in   quick  succession  down  their  weather-beaten 
faces,  while  the  more  youthful  sailors  being  more  sus- 
ceptable  to  the  impressions  of  wt  a,  vept  immoderately. 
Just  at  the  moment  when  the  clerk  had  reached  that 
part  of  the  service  which  commits  the  body  to  the  deep, 
I  cast  a  glance  at  Capt.  W.  and  the  officers,  and  saw 
depicted  in  their  countenances  the  deepest  emotions  of 
son-ow,  as  well  as  the  falling  tears  chasing  each  other 
in  rapid  succession.    The  sea  being  perfectly  smooth 
the   ship  lay  nearly  as  still  as  if  she  had  been  at  an 
anchor.     The  solemn  moment  arrived,  the  voice  of  the 
clerk  tremulously  pronounced. — "We  commit  these  bo- 
dies to  the  deep" — a  splash  was  heard,  and  the  corpses 
sank  beneath  the  blue  wave,  there  to  rest  until  "the  sea 
shall  give  up  its  dead." 


bein^  over,  a 
le  ship  for  the 
he  fate  of  two 
illy  wounded. 
;ks,  and  every 

At  10  A.  M. 

til  at  the  mast. 
!  bodies  were 
iaptain's  clerk 
scopal  church, 
here  stood  the 
and  faced  the 
■  hard  features 

service  com- 
[  the  salt  tears 
veather-beaten 
sing  more  sus- 
imrnoderately. 
i  reached  that 
ly  to  the  deep, 
Hcers,  and  saw 
St  emotions  of 
ing  each  other 
rfectly  smooth 
id  been  at  an 
le  voice  of  the 
nmit  these  bo- 
ind  the  corpses 

until  "the  sea 


CHAPTER  VIII. 

SAIL  FOR  COCOS  ISLAND-CONVERSATION  WITH  JACK  8UVVER- 
DE9CRIPTI0N  OP  CHATHAM  ISLAND-MELANCHOLY  DEATH  AND 
PCJNERAL    OF    ONE    OF   THE    SEAMEN. 

The  solemn  scene  described  in  the  last  chapter  being 
over,  the  main-topsail  was  filled  away,  all  sail  set,  and  wl 
steered  for  Cocos   Island,  to  replenish  our  water  and 
tue  ,  which  were  getting  short.     The  sad  occurrences 
ot  the  last  few  days  produced  a  general  sorrow  with  the 
officers  and  crew  and  especially  with  Captain  W.,  as  the 
relatives  of  the  three  young  men  who  had  recently  fallen 
had  given  them  into  his  particular  charge,  and  thev  were 
also  universal  favorites  with   the  crew.     Seamen   are 
naturally  superstitious,  and  the  late  events  roused  up 
those  latent  feelmgs  of  credulity  into  active  exercise. 
Many  of  the  old  sailors  affirmed,  with  great  gravity,  that 
as  the  enemy's  shot  passed  through  the  ship's  side  and 
killed  three  men   then  spent  its  force,  and  rebounded 
and  roiled  into  the  cabin ;  in  consequence  of  the  ball 
remaining  on  board,  we  should  have  many  a  brush,  and 
many  of  us  would  lose  the  number  of  our  mess  before 
our  cruise  was  up.    Others  were  afraid  to  go  aloft  alone 
m  the  night,  especially  in  the  mizzen-top,  because  the 
lads  who  were  killed  had  been  stationed  there  previous 
to  the  action.    One  old  salt  swore,  that  while  he  was  at 
the  helm  m  the  first  night  watch,  just  before  eight  bells 
were  stmck,  he  saw  Jim  Fox  (one  of  the  slain)  passing 
water  aft,  and  actually  washing  the  deck.     Brithese 
thmgs  as  they  may,  it  had  a  very  salutary  influence,  for 
the  Sabbath  day  after  this  was  more  generally  respected 
and  many  of  the  crew  read  the  Bible  with  attention 
who  had  perhaps  never  looked  into  it  before.    AH  the 
wounded,  except  two,  were  recovering  rapidly;  the  da- 


>»!>wjr»iiip4«  -m 


'  '^. 


■1 

=   i'  : 

1 

llr 

?  iilp  * 

mm. 

■  1    ji^  f 

83 


MFB   ON  THE   OCEAN. 


mages  were  repaired,  and  the  duties  of  the  ship  were 
performed  with  the  usual  promptness,  and  long  yarns 
were  being  continually  spun  in  the  forecastle,  relative 
to  our  late  action. 

While  at  a  job  of  work  in  the  main-top  in  a  forenoon 
watch,  with  an  old  saihir,  I  was  not  a  little  interested  in 
the  following  conversation : 

"Youngster,"  said  he,  "that  carcass  of  yours  got  the 
better  of  your  pins  the  other  day — you  didn't  flinch,  but 
you  had  a  narrow  chance  for  your  knowledge- box  when 
that  shot  knocked  down  Bob  Wilson  and  Sam  Clark  by 
your  side.  Well,  well,"  continued  he,  "there's  no  fun 
in  fighting  when  there's  nothing  gained  by  it — I  don't 
mind  to  have  a  bit  of  a  dust  now  and  then  if  there's  any 

Srize  money  in  the  way,  or  in  my  country's  sarvice,  for 
o  ye  see,  if  mayhap  you  get  a  nipper  or  pin  knocked 
ofi"  and  lay  up  in  ordinary,  why  then  you  have  a  shot 
in  the  locker;  or  if  a  chance  shot  happens  to  let  day- 
light through  you,  why  then  you're  among  the  list  of 
the  killed ;  the  jig's  up,  and  there's  an  end  on't.  But 
I  say,  youngster,  you've  got  larnin  and  I  can't  read  a 
word  in  the  book ;  just  tell  me,  where  does  a  sailor  go 
to  when  he  slips  his  wind?  I've  always  had  a  notion 
till  the  other  day,  that  when  Jack  parts  his  cable  he 
drives  away  to  Fiddlers'  Green,  where  there's  plenty  of 
grog  and  lots  of  fun. 

"There  was  Tom  Dunting,  a  messmate  of  mine  aboard 
the  Syren  frigate,  he  could  read  just  as  well  as  the  par- 
son, and  spin  a  yarn  as  long  as  the  main-top  bowline. 
*Do  you  think.  Jack,'  says  he,  'after  a  sailor  has  been 
knocked  about  like  the  boatswain's  yeoman — now  un- 
der a  burning  sun,  and  then  off  the  icy  cape,  with  hard 
usage  and  salt  grub  all  the  days  of  his  life,  banging  salt 
watet — that  he's  not  going  to  have  some  fun  and  firolic 
after  he  slips  his  wind  ?  'I'll  tell  you,'  says  Tom,  'I 
don't  believe  a  word  what  our  chaplain  said  the  other 
day,  that  a  sailor  is  going  to  be  clapped  under  hatches 
when  he  slips  his  moorings,  just  because  he  tosses  off  a 
glass  of  grog,  lets  slip  an  oath   ometimes,  and  has  a  bit 


n 


t! 
m 


le  ship  were 
I  long  yan»8 
istle,  relative 

in  a  forenoon 
interested  in 

yours  got  the 
n't  flinch,  but 
Ige- box  when 
Sam  Clark  by 
here's  no  fun 
by  it—I  don't 

I  if  there's  any 
^'s  sarvice,  for 

pin  knocked 
u  have  a  shot 
ns  to  let  day- 
3ng  the  list  of 
3nd  on't.    But 

II  can't  read  a 
oes  a  sailor  go 

had  a  notion 
3  his  cable  he 
lero's  plenty  of 

[)f  mine  aboard 
fell  as  the  par- 
n-top  bowline, 
sailor  has  been 
man — now  un- 
:ape,  with  hard 
fe,  banging  salt 
ftin  and  ftolic 
says  Tom,  'I 
said  the  other 
under  hatches 
he  tosses  off  a 
I,  and  hsis  a  bit 


LIFE   ON  THE   OCEAN. 


of  a  spree  when  ashore.*  But  I  say,  youngster,"  con- 
tinued Jack,  "there's  Bill  Harris,  that  college  larnt  chap 
that  belongs  to  our  watch,  he's  a  hearty  fellow  though 
he  does  tumble  down  the  forescuttle  and  capsizes  all 
the  grub  belonging  to  the  mess.  The  other  day,  just 
as  I  was  going  to  turn  in,  I  overheard  him  say  to  Zeke 
Dowling,  the  boatswain's  mate,  'Zeke,'  says  he,  'I  tell 
you,  it's  all  stuff  about  a  sailer's  going  to  Fiddlers' 
Green.  Sailors,  as  well  as  landsmen,  will  have  to  heave 
in  stays  and  stand  on  tother  tack,  so  as  to  get  clear  of 
the  shoals  of  destruction  that  lays  near  ^rog  harbour, 
and  swearing  rocks,  and  cape  frolic,  which  is  sure  to 
pick  him  up  if  he  stands  on,  and  then,'  says  Bill,  *he 
must  obey  the  orders  of  this  book,  (clapping  his  flipper 
on  a  Bible  that  jay  on  a  chest)  if  they  don't,  why  then, 
do  ye  see,  when  they  slip  their  cables  they'll  just  drift 
into  the  broad  bay  of  destruction.'  *Just  belay  that. 
Bill,'  says  I,  'how  is  a  fellow  going  to  obey  orders 
when  nobody  gives  them,  and  he  can't  read  a  word  in 
the  book?'  'I'll  read  for  you,'  says  Bill.  So  half  a 
dozen  of  us  just  coiled  ourselves  round  him  in  a  ring, 
and  at  he  went,  just  for  all  the  world  as  if  he  had  larnt 
it  by  heart;  so  alter  he  had  read  on  a  bit — 'avast  there,' 
says  I — is  that  true.  Bill?  'Every  word  on't,'  says  Bill. 
I  just  felt,  youngster,  the  same  as  I  did  when  aboard  of 
the  Syren  frigate,  as  we  lay  becalmed  under  a  French 
eighteen-gun  battery.  They  bored  us  every  shot,  and 
we  could'nt  get  one  of  our  shooting-irons  to  bear  upon 
the  battery." 

"Why,  how  did  you  feel,  Jack?"  says  I. 

"Why,  just  like  hauling  off  on  tother  tack.  I'll  tell 
you  what  'tis,  youngster,  I've  been  overhauling  my  log- 
book, and  I  find  I've  kept  a  bad  reck'ning  of  it ;  I've 
carried  too  much  sail,  and  now  I  am  clean  off  the  right- 
course,  and  I  don't  know  how  to  steer  to  keep  clear  of 
the  sunken  rocks,  and  make  the  good  port  where  I  can 
moor  head  and  stern.    Can  you  tell  me,  youngster?" 

*  Yes,"  said  I,  "take  Bill  Harris'  advice,  heave  in  stays 
immediately,  and  when  you  get  round  on  the  other  tack 


,,  a 


90 


LIFE   ON  THE   OCE A"? 


clap  on  every  sail  that  will  draw  vpo\i  u  wind,  haul  out 
your  bowlines  taut,  mrOce  short  boards  till  you  get  an 
offing;  and  when  you  have  plenty  of  sea  room,  give 
the  rocks  a  wide  berth,  haul  in  the  woather-braces,  set 
studding-sails  below  and  aloft,  and  steer  away  for  the 
broad  bay  of  heaven." 

I  cast  a  glance  at  Jack,  and  saw  that  his  hard  features 
had  relaxed  and  his  head  pumps  were  going.  Says  1, 
"Jack,  would  you  like  to  know  how  to  road,  if  you  would 
I'll  teach  you  in  our  watch  below  ?" 

"Youngster,  I'll  give  you  my  grog  for  six  rnonths,  if 
you'll  jist  lam  me  to  read,  in  that  book  I  heard  Bill  Harris 
read.  Why  there  was  my  old  mother,  God  bless  her! 
she  slipped  her  wind  ^^^hen  I  was  a  young  chap,  and 
then  do  you  sec  there  was  nobody  to  care  for  poor  little 
Jack,  it's  many  long  years  since,  but  I  recollect  she 
would  throw  her  anus  around  my  neck,  and  read  that 
same  old  book,  and  then  say  the  Lord's  Prayer.  'Jack, 
says  she,  'be  a  good  boy — remember  your  poor  old 
mother's  advice,  obey  the  orders  of  this  book,  and  it 
will  make  a  man  of  j,  nx.'  " 

I  felt  an  unusual  interest  for  poor  Jack,  and  resolved 
to  use  ray  best  endeavours  to  instruct  him,  at  least,  so 
far  as  that  he  might  be  able  to  read ;  and  at  the  same 
time  I  felt  a  little  curious  to  know  more  about  his 
history.  Addressing  him  to  this  effect,  I  said,  "I  should 
like  to  know  more  about  your  poor  old  mother  and 
yourself."    To  which  he  replied — 

"Why,  youngster,  I've  been  boxing  the  compass  up 
and  down,  fair  weather  and  foul,  twenty-seven  years, 
and  never  had  a  messmate  before,  that  cared  for  old 
mother  and  rattlebrain  Jack  Sawyer ;  (for  this  was  his 
n^ime)  "why,  my  hearty,"  continued  he,  "it's  a  pretty  long 
yarn  and  as  we  have  good  weather  in  these  latitudes — too 
good  for  these  cut-throat  rascals  on  this  coast, — I'll  spin 
It  out  here  in  the  top  in  our  watch  at  night." 

At  that  moment  eight  bells  were  struck,  the  larboard 
watch  called,  and  the  boatswain  piped  to  dinner. 

/i%  20.— During  the  nine  preceding  days  nothing 


c 
i; 

V 
V. 

y 

h 
n 
ii 
n 
n 
b 

0 

ai 
ii 
h 

ai 
ri 

P" 
fo 
ir 
d< 
T 
in 
T 
m 
in 
to 
ru 
ot 
or 


thi 
en 

CO 

als 
pie 
wt 


LIFC   ON  THE  OCEAN. 


91 


vind,  haul  out 
ill  you  get  an 
ea  room,  give 
(ler-braces,  set 
away  for  the 

s  hard  features 
oing.  Says  1, 
1,  if  you  would 

six  months,  if 
lard  Bill  Harris 
lod  bless  her! 
ang  chap,  and 
B  for  poor  little 
\  recollect  she 
and  read  that 
Prayer.  'Jack, 
your  poor  old 
s  book,  and  it 

:,  and  resolved 
im,  at  least,  so 
d  at  the  same 
lore  about  his 
said,  "I  should 
id  mother  and 

;he  compass  up 

ty-seven  years, 

t  cared  for  old 

or  this  was  his 

t's  a  pretty  long 

3  latitudes — too 

joast, — I'll  spin 

jht." 

sk,  the  larboard 

I  dinner. 

;  days  nothing 


listant 
•  to, 
nil 
sted 
ter, 


of  moment  transpired  to  disturb  the  monotony  which  is 
usua  at  sea,  with  a  long  series  of  fair  winds  and  cfH)d 
weather;  and  as  we  were  now  rapidly  approaching  the 
island,  Jack  Sawyer  said  he  would  clap  a  stopper  on  his 
yiirn,  until  we  got  our  wood  and  water  on  board 

July  aa.— At  midnight,  took  in  all  the  light  sails  and 
hove  too,  expecting  to  ho  close  up  with  the  Ian, I  in  the 
morning.  Wo  wore  not  disappointed,  for  n'  '  >rht  the 
island  was  close  aboojd,  btariiig  north-v 
not  more  than  one  league.  Made  all  r( 
rounded  into  Chatham  Bay  and  brought 
bower  in  ten  fathoms  water.  The  boni 
out  and  every  preparation  was  made  to  fii  ler 

and  replenish  the  stock  of  fuel.     Vessels  may  Uiv  here 
in  the  most  perfect  safety  in  all   winds;    there  are 
however  no  gales ;  the  trade  winds  are  regular  except 
at  certain   seasons  of  the  year,  when  they  are  inter- 
rupted by  squalls.     The  bay  is  as  smooth  as  a  mill- 
pond,  and  affords  every  facility  to  vessels  that  touch 
for  supplies.     The  island  is  sinall,  say  about  four  miles 
m  circumference,  with  two  lesser  islands,  which  are 
detached  by  a  narrow  channel  from  the  main  island. 
1  he  land  is  exceedingly  fertile  and  loamy,  aboundinir 
m  wood,  with  wild  hogs  and  cocoa-nuts  in  abundance. 
Ihe  water  here  is  perhaps  the  finest  in  the  world,  and 
may  be  got  without  difficulty,  and  indeed  without  roll- 
mg  the  casks  on  shore,  as  you  have  nothing  to  do  but 
to  extend  a  link  of  hose  to  the  top  of  a  rock— into  which 
runs  a  stream  of  fine  fresh  water— and  by  directing  the 
other  end  of  the  hose  into  the  casks,  they  are  filled  at 
once.    As  we  were  now  in  a  fine  harbour,  with  a  fair 
opportunity  to  obtain  supplies  and  overhaul  our  ship. 
Oapt.  W.  made  up  his  mind  to  remain  here  at  least 
three  weeks  or  a  month.    The  crew  were  now  variously 
employed  m  getting  water,  wood,  shooting  hogs,  and 
coUecUng  cowa-nuts.    The  armorer  and  his  crew  were 
also  employed  m  burning  a  coal  pit.    We  obtained  a 
plentiful  supply  of  eggs  from  the  small  islands,  which 
were  literally  covered  with  them,  so  much  so  that  large 


.} 


■t   'Sil. 


LIFE   ON  THE   OCEAN. 


Quantities  were  taken  every  day  durim;  nur  stay.  Sea- 
iwl  were  hore  also  in  great  numbers,  especially  a  spe- 
cies  of  duck,  known  by  the  name  of  "shags."  Young 
boobies  were  also  taken,  and  they  were  so  lame  that  we 
had  no  difliculty  in  capturing  them  by  hand,  or  wiih 
a  small  stick.  We  found  them  quite  as  groat  a  delicacy 
as  a  squab. 

The  hunting  of  hogs  was  found  to  be  a  dangerous 
service,  and  proved  nearly  fatal  to  some  of  the  crow  en- 
gaged in  that  duty.  On  one  occasion  a  party  of  men 
penetrated  some  distance  into  the  island  and  separated 
into  pairs,  supposing  that  they  might  have  a  better 
opportunity  to  start  the  animal.    Suddenly  and  unex- 

SBCtedly  a  large  boar  with  immense  Uisks,  exceedingly 
erce,  started  close  by  the  side  of  two  engaged  in  the 
pursuit.  Surprised  and  momentarily  thrown  off  their 
guard,  the  anmial  approached  to  within  a  few  paces  of 
them,  when  a  musket  was  discharged  which  wounded 
him,  though  but  slightly.  Roused  to  madness  by  the 
wound,  he  sprang  u|)on  the  man  who  had  discharged 
his  musket,  and  drove  his  tusk  nearly  through  his  leg. 
By  this  time  the  other  man  recovered  himself  and  shot 
the  boar  through  the  body. 

Wh'e  hf  we  took  about  thirty  hogs,  but  such  was 
the  ht  ..t  of  aie  climate,  that  we  were  necessarily  obliged 
to  c.lt  them  down  as  fast  as  they  were  taken.  In 
'•  :vour  or  sweetness,  the  flesh  of  the  wild  hog  will  bear 
uo  comparison  with  that  reared  for  domestic  uses  ;  that 
of  th3  former  being  coarse,  soft  and  flabby,  savouring 
much  of  the  cocoa-nut  upon  which  they  feed. 

August  1. — This  was  a  black  day  in  our  calendar. 
Our  ship  was  again  shrouded  in  gloom.  Jospph  Davis, 
one  of  the  armorer's  crew,  was  engaged  in  catching 
young  boobies  on  an  eminence  which  rose  eighty  or 
ninety  teet,  nearly  perpendicular  from  the  beach,  and 
covered  with  small  rocks  and  stones.-  With  his  left 
arm  around  the  trunk  of  a  tree  and  the  other  extended 
in  the  act  of  knocking  a  bird  off  its  branch,  the  tree  gave 
way  and  down  he  came  to  the  beach  below,  bree&ng 


'■«l 


ur  stay.  Soa- 
ipt'cially  a  spe- 
ags."  Young 
!)  lame  that  we 
Viand,  or  with 
;rcat  a  delicacy 

e  a  dangerous 
}f  the  crew  en- 
party  of  men 
I  and  separated 
have  a  better 
nly  and  unex- 
cs,  exceedingly 
mgaged  in  the 
rown  off  their 
a  few  pace8  of 
^hich  wounded 
nadness  by  the 
lad  discharged 
irough  his  leg. 
mself  and  shot 

!,  but  such  was 
essarily  obliged 
ere  taken.  In 
d  hog  will  bear 
;stic  uses ;  that 
ibby,  savouring 
ey  feed, 
a  our  calendar. 

Jospph  Davis, 

ed  in  catching 

rose  eighty  or 

the  beach,  and 

With  his  left 
1  other  extended 
ch,  the  tree  gave 
below,  bree^ng 


.•ii-KjiJi'^'''''^  t-SJJ.^ 


^,%tuk\y^3i\i^k^ij^^^j:i^i^-^}!^^*i$^^ihri4i^:f.iii'i^^^ 


^^■^t.--''■^:#-Jl^■iJj^^^^^'-:l;^J^■^^i::^j^ 


2^  ^"l^^iJ^T^*  Jwrf'W   — 


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CIHM/ICMH 

Microfiche 

Series. 


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CIHM/iCIVIH 
Collection  de 
microfiches. 


Canadian  Institute  for  Historical  Microreproductions  /  Institut  Canadian  de  microreproductions  historiques 


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mim. 


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r 


LIFE   ON   THE   OCEAN. 


93 


nearly  every  bone  in  his  body,  and  dashing  his  brains 

ViLf  \  '  "^""^J  ^°i"^^*  ^^^^  ^'ght,  being  at  the  time 
about  twenty  yards  distance  from  where  he  landed, 
employed  in  procuring  wood.  I  ran  to  him  as  quick  as 
possible,  but  life  was  extinct,  and  his  spirit  had  fled  for- 
uZ:  \Jl'/  ^^"^«y«i  him  on  board,  where  his  remains 
uere  lad  out,  a  coffin  was  made,  and  the  next  day  was 
fhl  T"  *?'  ^'-  J"terment.  The  solemnity  throughout 
the  ship  that  night  surpassed  any  thing  I  had  ever  wit- 
nessed. The  uninterrupted  sile'nce,  the  noiseless  step, 
he  sorrow  depicted  on  the  countenances  cf  the  crew 
JJilht  of  woe  ^«««'a"o"  of  t»»e  island,  made  it  a 

August  2.— The  next  morning  the  sun  rose  clear,  the 
sky  was  serene  and  the  face  of  the  waters,  being  a  dead 
calm,  gave  an  air  of  solemnity  which  seemed  respondent 

hJ^!^Tu  ''^''"*  "^^  ^  ^'^^^^^^^  The  colour  were 
hoisted  half-mast,  and  breakfast  being  over,  all  hands 
were  piped  to  attend  the  funeral  servicLn  shore. 

i,«i  /ll^*^^^'"®  "^"^  ^"  readiness  alongside  and  the 
body  of  the  deceased,  over  which  the  American  ens  gn 
was  thrown  was  lowered  into  the  launch.  The  boats 
were  then  all  manned,  and  proceeded  in  regul^  line 
with  the  launch  m  tow  to  the  shore.  We  formed  he 
vlir.T  J^'^^f' *"''  ^""^  conveyed  the  corpse  about  three 
hundred  yards  to  a  sequestered  spot,  surrounded  with 
ttees,  not  unlike  the  weeping  willow,  a  chosen  sepulchre 

read  with  great  senousness  by  the  captain's  clerk,  who 
usually  performed  the  office  of  chaplain,  the  body  was 
lowered  into  the  grave,  and  we  returned  in  the  same 
order  to  the  boats  and  from  thence  on  board  Ve  shir 
August  5.— We  had  now  completed  our  water  with  a 
^£.n"f  ^'^°^  ^*^^'  ho^s,  coconuts,  &c.;  noCn| 
remained  to  detain  us  now  but  coal,  which  would  be 
ready  m  two  days.  This  last  death  by  its  suddewiess 
awakened  again  the  superstitious  notions  of  the  ?^w 
and  it  was  currently  believed  that  we  should  have  bad 
luck  dunng  the  remainder  of  the  voyage.    So XpSy 


iH 


"tK' 


94 


LIFE   ON   THE   OCEAN. 


was  this  belief  impressed  upon  the  minds  of  the  men, 
that  it  caused  a  general  apathy,  which  required  all  the 
exertions  and  ingenuity  of  the  captain  and  officers  to 
dissipate.  I  recollect  about  this  period  while  engaged 
in  a  dog-watch  below,  teaching  Jack  SaMryer  his  letters, 
that  he  broke  oflF  abruptly  from  his  study  and  said — 

"Youngster,  since  Joe  Davis  tumbled  off  that  hill 
and  knocked  his  brains  out,  I've  bowsed  my  thinking 
tacks  close  down  to  the  bumpkin  head.  That's  a  lone- 
some grave-yard  yonder,"  continued  he,  mournfully,  "but 
what's  the  odds.  Bill  Harris  says  every  word  in  the 
Bible  is  true;  if  it  be  so,  why  then,  d'ye  see,  Joe  Davis 
will  come  xip  from  under  hatches  just  the  same  as  if  he 
was  decently  sewed  up  in  his  hammock  and  tumbled 
into  the  sea;  yes,  youngster,  I  suppose  it's  no  great 
matter  whether  our  carcasses  fill  the  belly  of  a  hungry 
shark,  or  make  grub  for  the  worms." 

The  conversation  between  us  assumed  a  very  serious 
air,  and  half  an  hour  of  the  dog-watch  was  spent  in 
reading  the  Bible  at  the  request  of  Jack,  who  sat  resting 
his  chin  upon  his  hand  listening  with  the  most  profound 
attention. 

Augvst  8.— Having  now  talten  on  board  the  coals,  say 
three  hundred  bushels,  which  was  the  product  of  the 
pit,  and  having  filled  every  spare  vessel  on  board  with 
water,  and  the  necessary  repairs  and  overhauhng  of  the 
ship  completed,  we  got  under  way,  made  al'  sail,  and 
stood  out  to  sea  with  a  fine  breeze  fi-om  the  northward, 
bound,  as  we  understood,  to  the  leeward  coast.  I  began 
now  more  seriously  than  ever  to  reflect  upon  the  whole- 
some advice  received  fi:om  my  good  old  uncle,  previously 
to  my  embarking  on  this  voyage,  especially  that  part  of 
it  on  which  he  laid  so  much  stress,  viz.,  to  read  the 
Bible  regularly.  I  confess  I  had  already  imbibed  a 
degree  of  superstition,  and  was  one  among  the  many, 
who  believed  that  the  ship  would  not  return  to  our 
native  land  without  the  loss  of  many  of  the  crew.  The 
awful  tragedy  1  had  just  witnessed  and  the  desolation 
of  that  lonely  spot  where  the  body  was  interred,  all 


"tr:' 


■^-^tji 


ppswSH'Of'^" 


•'!';;ttv.;,ijyg;:ag 


s  of  the  men, 
juired  all  the 
nd  officers  to 
irhilo  engaged 
irer  his  letters, 
and  said — 
,  off  that  hill 
I  my  thinking 
That's  a  lone- 
)urnfully,"but 
■  word  in  the 
see,  Joe  Davis 
!  same  as  if  he 
c  and  tumbled 
!  it's  no  great 
y  of  a  hungry 

a  very  serious 

was  spent  in 

vho  sat  resting 

!  most  profound 


_  the  coals,  say 
product  of  the 
on  board  with 
rhauling  of  the 
ie  al'  sail,  and 
the  northward, 
coast.   I  began 
pen  the  whole- 
icle,  previously 
ly  that  part  of 
z.,  to  read  the 
idy  imbibed  a 
loug  the  many, 
return  to  our 
le  crew.    The 
the  desolation 
lis  interred,  all 


LIFE   ON  THE   OCEAN. 

conspired  to  make  a  deep  impression  on  my  mind ;  and 
I  suppose  to  throw  a  shade  of  melancholy  over  my  usual 
vivacity.  Young  as  I  was,  being  then  scarcely  eighteen, 
reflections  on  the  instability  of  human  affairs  would  not 
unfrequently  occupy  my  thoughts. 

August  9. — The  ship  now  bounded  over  the  sea  with 
a  fine  breeze,  standing  down  towards  the  leeward  coast ; 
It  was  soon  ascertained  from  the  alteration  in  the  course 
that  we  should  again  visit  the  coast,  but  not  as  far  to 
leeward  as  was  contemplated  when  we  left  the  island. 
We  hauled  our  wind  accordingly,  and  on  the  10th, 
made  the  coast  in  latitude  9°  30'  north.  Captain  W. 
judging  that  we  were  a  sufficient  distance  from  the 
rendezvous  of  men-of-war,  determined  to  go  into  the 
bay  of  Moro  Hermosa,  which  lies  in  north  latitude 
9°  45',  west  longitude  85°  6'.  Run  close  in  with  the 
land  and  saw  the  bay  at  2  p.  m.  bearing  east-north-east 
four  leagues  distant.  The  necessary  preparations  were 
made  to  anchor,  we  stood  into  the  bay,  and  at  5  p.  m. 
anchored  with  the  small  bower  in  twenty-five  fathoms 
water,  distant  one  mile  from  the  shore.  Here  as  in 
almost  every  other  port  to  the  northward  of  the  line,  the 
surf  runs  very  high,  and  the  landing  is  attended  with 
considerable  difficulty. 

Augiist  12. — This  morning  hoisted  out  three  boats, 
into  which  were  put  a  kedge-anchor,  buoy-lines,  &c. 
and  as  usual  it  fell  to  my  lot — ^being  bow- .nan  of  the 
second  cutter,  which  was  a  light  boat — to  go  on  shore, 
tn  landing  as  described  in  a  preceding  part  of  this 
work,  we  used  the  same  means,  viz.  running  a  line 
ishore  with  one  end  made  fast  there,  the  other  fastetied 
0  a  buoy,  which  was  bent  to  the  kedge-anchor  out- 
side of  the  breakers.    The  landing  being  effected  with 
hree  boats,  nothing  was  to  be  seen  except  two  misesa- 
ole  huts ;  to  them  we  proceeded  and  learned  from  ther 
inmates,  that  the  village  or  town  was   situated  in  a 
valley  about  a  league  distant.     We  dispatched  a  mes- 
sen^r  to  give  infonnation  as  to  the  nature  of  our 
busmess.    It  was  not  long  before  a  party  of  about  a 


aaiMiiMHMBiHi 


w 


^n 


r.pt- 


If 


96 


LIFE    ON   THE    OCEAN. 


r 


dozen  Spaniards  were  seen  riding  towards  the  place  of 
landing.  Our  conference  with  them  was  short;  they 
appearing  to  have  no  information  as  to  the  character  of 
our  ship,  or  of  the  affair  to  windward,  were  anxious 
to  go  on  board  to  make  purchases,  being  as  they  said 
in  great  want  of  wearing  apparel,  as  well  as  lineris,  dec. 
Consequently  a  very  lucrative  business  was  carried  on 
with  them  during  the  few  days  we  remained.  Among 
tliis  group  of  Spaniards,  we  were  surprised  to  see  an 
American  sailor,  who  had  arrived  there  a  few  days  pre- 
vious in  a  small  coasting  vessel  from  Guyaquil.  He 
having  been  in  Callao,  where  the  lugger  arrived  after 
the  action,  through  him  we  learned  her  disastrous  fate. 
He  said  the  captain  of  the  lugger  was  an  Irishman 
and  had  rej)eatedly  been  on  board  of  us ;  consequently 
knew  our  strength  and  prepared  the  lugger  for  a  suc- 
cessful rencounter — that  he  with  more  than  twenty 
otl'.ers  were  killed,  many  were  wounded  and  the  lug- 
ger was  literally  riddled  in  her  hull,  and  her  masts,  bow- 
sprit, <fcc.  cut  away.  This  man  shipped  on  board  of  us 
for  the  voyage. 

August  20. — The  prospect  of  disposing  of  any  more 
goods  being  now  over,  having  got  on  board  at  least 
$40,000  in  specie  at  Moro  Hermosa,  and  Capt.  W.  not 
wishing  to  remain  long  at  any  one  place,  we  got  under 
way  and  stood  to  sea,  keeping  the  coast  in  sight,  as  our 
next  destination  was  Realejo. 

August  24. — Hauled  into  the  land,  and  at  10  a.  m.  en- 
tered the  Bay  of  Realejo,  and  anchored  in  twenty  fathoms 
water,  a  mile  distant  from  the  shore  This  port  or  har- 
bour is  formed  by  a  deep  bay,  about  four  miles  wide  at 
its  entrance,  and  the  depth  is  about  one  league  to  the 
anchoring  ground.  It  affords  no  shelter  whatever  from 
the  prevailing  winds  on  this  coast.  Realejo  is  situated 
in  the  parallel  of  12°  2T'  north  latitude,  and  97°  6'  west 
longitude.  The  town  consists  of  about  thirty  houses 
similar  to  those  described  to  windward.  The  customs 
and  habits  of  the  people  were  likewise  much  the  same, 
and  if  we  had  formed  an  opinion  from  their  exterior  ap- 


t 
I 

^ 
t 
i 

i 

s 

8 
f 
C 

IJ 
tl 
8 


^'w: 


-rt- 


LIFR   ON  THE   OCEAN. 


9T 


I  the  place  of 
s  short;  they 
e  character  of 
were  anxious 
a;  as  they  said 
as  linens,  dec. 
ras  carried  on 
ined.  Among 
ised  to  see  an 

few  days  pre- 
3iuyaquil.  He 
ir  arrived  after 
iisastrous  fete. 

an  Irishman 
;  consequently 
*ger  for  a  suc- 
I  than  twenty 
\  and  the  lug- 
ler  masts,  bow- 
on  board  of  us 

ig  of  any  more 
board  at  least 
d  Capt.  W.  not 
,  we  got  under 
in  sight,  as  our 

at  10  A.  M.  en- 
tweniy  fathoms 
lis  port  or  har- 
•  miles  wide  at 
B  league  to  the^ 
whatever  from 
ejo  is  situated 
md  970  5'  west 
thirty  houses 
The  customs 
auch  the  same, 
leir  exterior  ap- 


pearance, which  indicated  extreme  poverty,  we  should 
not  have  remained  long  at  this  place;  but  when  we 
entered  their  habitations,  we  found  all  their  household 
utensils  were  made  of  silver;  and,  to  our  great  surprise, 
we  learned  from  the  people  that  they  had  never  seen  a 
vessel,  except  a  Spanish  galleon,  which  had  touched 
there  about  twenty  years  previous ;  consequently  they 
were  exceedingly  anxious  to  visit  our  ship.  We  gave 
them  an  opportunity  to  indulge  tHeir  curiosity,  and  be- 
fore we  left  the  place  nearly  all  the  inhabitants  of  the 
town  had  paid  us  a  visit.  They  were  much  gratified. 
We  found  them  to  be  a  pleasant  and  agreeable  people, 
and  sold  them  a  large  amount  of  merchandise. 

September  5. — Weighed  anchor  this  morning,  stood 
out  of  the  bay,  and  run  down  the  coast  under  easy  sail 
during  the  night.  In  the  morning,  September  6th,  stood 
in  close  to  the  land,  and  saw  Point  ilemedios,  beaiing 
south-east ;  ran  to  leeward  of  the  point,  and  sent  two 
boats  ashore — there  being  no  surf,  a  lauding  was  effected 
without  difficulty.  With  the  exception  of  two  small 
huts,  which  were  a  little  way  from  the  beach,  we  learned 
that  the  nearest  settlement  was  ten  leagues  distant. 
The  people,  however,  oflfered  to  inform  the  inhabitants 
of  that  settlement  of  the  arrival  of  the  nhip  and,y  the  na- 
ture of  our  business,  to  all  of  which  we  i  cquiesced.  As 
there  was  good  anchorage  to  the  uorthwaid  of  the  point, 
the  ship  was  run  in  and  anchored  in  fifteen  fatiioms 
water,  two  miles  from  the  shore.  The  next  day,  Sep- 
tember 7th,  proceeded  with  the  boats  on  shore,  and 
found  the  Spaniards  anxiously  waiting  to  go  on  board. 
A  number  of^ them  went  off,  and  at  this  place  we  effected 
sales  to  the  amount  of  about  $20,000. 

September  16. — Weighed  anchor  and  stood  out,  and 
as  we  were  now  approaching  Acapulco,  the  rendezvous 
for  Spanish  galleons,  it  became  necessary  for  us  to  prO' 
ceed  with  great  caution,  especially  as  they  are  alway.<> 
under  strong  convoy.  We  sdso  received  information  at 
the  last  port,  that  two  sail  had  been  seen,  which  were 
supposed  to  be  a  galleon,  under  convoy  of  a  firigate. 
9« 


r 


.,*>^ 


98 


LIFE   ON   THE   OCEAW. 


From  the  last  date  until  October  24th,  nothing  remark- 
able transpired.  We  touched  at  several  small  ports,  and 
at  every  place  effected  sales  of  our  cargo. 

October  25.— Weighed  anchor  from  Puerto  Veritosa, 
which  lies  in  the  parallel  of  10°  6'  north  latitude  and 
95°  22'  west  longitude.    Our  near  proximity  to  Aca- 
pulco  determined  Capt.  W.  to  stand  out  to  sea,  and 
make  a  good  offing,  so  as  to  avoid  the  Spanish  men-of- 
war,  if  any  might  be  there.    Accordingly,  all  sail  was 
carried  during  this  day  and  night.    On  the  morning  of 
the  26th  it  fell  dead  calm,  and  very  soon  the  heavens 
were  overspread  with  blackness.    At  8  a.  m.  the  rain 
began  to  fail  in  torrents,  attended  with  severe  thunder 
and  the  most  vivid  flashes  of  lightning  that  I  had  ever 
beheld,  which  continued,  without  intermission,  until  5 
p.  M.    During  the  whole  of  this  time  not  a  breath  of  air 
was  stirring,  and,  to  add  to  the  horror  of  the  scene,  an 
immense  number  of  sharks  were  seen  around  us,  as  far  as 
the  eye  could  extend,  one  of  which,  although  the  an- 
nouncement may  appear  incredible  to  the  reader,  ex- 
tended from  the  forward  part  of  the  fore-channels  to  the 
after  part  of  the  mizzen-channels  of  the  ship,  and  as  she 
was  one  hundred  and  thirty-five  feet  long,  consequently 
the  shs^  must  have  been  at  least  eighty  feet  m  length. 
At  the  same  time  innumerable  dolphins  were  hooked  or 
grained,  but  were  torn  to  pieces  by  the  ravenous  sharks 
before  they  could  ba  got  on  board.    At  sunset  a  light 
air  sprung  up,  and  we  stood  away  to  the  northward. 


,,r 


thing  remark- 
nail  ports,  and 

iierto  Veritosa, 
1  latitude  and 
:imity  to  Aca- 
it  to  sea,  and 
)anish  men-of- 
y,  all  sail  was 
the  morning  of 
n  the  heavens 
A.  M.  the  rain 
severe  thunder 
that  I  had  ever 
nission,  until  6 
t  a  breath  of  air 
)f  the  scene,  an 
und  us,  as  far  as 
though  the  an- 
the  reader,  ex- 
channels  to  the 
Ship,  and  as  she 
g,  conseauently 
J  feet  in  length, 
were  hooked  or 
ravenous  sharks 
t  sunset  a  light 
3  northward. 


CHAPTER   IX. 

EXCITING  CHASE  AND  ESCAPE — SUPERSTITION  OF  SEAMEN — FALL 
OF  THE  AUTHOR  FROM  THE  FURETOP  AND  LOSS  OF  k  MAN 
OVERBOARD — SAIL    FOR    SHELVACK'*    ISLAND. 

October  27. — At  daylight  the  exciting  cry  of  "sail 
ho !"  was  heard  from  the  mast-head,  bearing  four  points 
abaft  the  weather  beam,  and  at  so  short  a  distance  that 
her  character  was  distinctly  made  out  to  be  that  of  a 
man-of-war.  All  hands  were  immediately  called  to  be 
in  readiness  to  make  sail,  it  being  the  intention  of  Capt 
W.  to  ascertain,  if  possible,  to  what  nation  the  stranger 
belonged.  As  we  had  not  altered  our  course,  every 
doubt  was  soon  removed,  for  the  stranger  bore  down 
upon  us  under  a  heavy  press  of  sail,  displaying  a  large 
Spanish  ensign.  By  this  time  she  was  nearly  withm 
gun-shot,  and  would  probably  gain  upon  us  before  we 
could  get  sail  upon  the  ship. 

"Hard  a  starboard,  away  aloft  there,  and  loose  all  the 
light  sails,  set  studding-sails  alow  and  aloft,  haul  the 
sheets  close  home,  sway  up  the  yards  taut,  haul  in  the 
starboard  braces,"  were  the  orders  given  by  Captain  W. 
in  quick  succession. 

In  fifteen  minutes  every  .;;  of  canvass  was  spread  to 
the  breeze,  every  sail  was  ti.  vaiod  in  a  seaman-like  man- 
ner, and  the  ship  was  going  oft*,  dead  before  the  wind 
with  a  moderate  breeze,  at  the  rate  of  seven  knots.  We 
ha/^  now  brought  the  enemy  exactly  in  our  wake,  and 
perceived  that  while  making  sail,  she  had  gained  a  little 
upon  us.  The  utmost  anxiety  prevailed  throughout 
the  ship,  for  it  was  clear  that  in  the  last  fifteen  minutes 
she  had  neared  us. 


1 


'"iTK  V.Kl 


I 


1 


100 


LIFE   ON   THE    OCEAN. 


"Run  the  guns  off  the  forecastle  to  the  main  deck," 
said  Captain  VV. 

This  order  was  immediately  obeyed,  silence  prevailed, 
and  every  eye  was  directed  to  the  vessel  in  chaso.  At 
this  point  the  frigate  made  a  slight  yaw,  a  broad  sheet  of 
flame  issued  from  her  bow  chasers,  and  the  next  instant 
a  sliot  cut  away  our  larboard  lower  studding-sail-boom. 

"Secure  the  studding-sail  and  get  another  boom  out — 
set  the  spnker  and  haul  the  boom  well  forward  with 
tlje  guy,"  said  Captain  W. 

This  was  the  work  of  a  few  minutes,  a  spar  was  soon 
got  out  and  rigged,  and  the  lower  studding-sail  was  set 
in  ten  mmutes.  Purchases  were  now  rigged  at  the 
yard  arms,  water  was  drawn  up,  and  every  sail  \vt\s  wet 
fore  and  aft  the  ship.  The  next  half  hour,  no  perceptible 
difference  could  be  seen  in  the  relative  distance  of  the 
two  ships.  The  wind  had  freshened,  and  we  were  now 
running  at  the  rate  often  and  a  half  knots. 

It  was  now  evident  we  held  way  with  the  chase,  and 
we  began  to  entertain  hopes  that  we  might  hold  our 
position  good  until  night,  and  under  its  cover  to  elude 
the  enemy,  if  in  the  meantime  the  frigate  did  not  cut 
away  some  of  our  spars,  as  she  was  now  within  less 
than  gun  shot  of  us.  Another  broad  yaw  and  her 
forward  division  was  sent  streaming  after  us,  but  with 
so  little  precision  that  the  shot  fell  ahead  of  us  a  con- 
siderable distance  from  the  starboard  bow. 

"Well,"  said  an  old  tar,  "give  us  two  or  three  more  of 
your  broad  yaws  and  bow  chasers,  and  my  life  for  it 
you'll  miss  your  prize  this  day." 

But  the  enemy  was  no  laggard,  she  held  her  way, 
notwithstanding  the  disadvantage  of  yawing  and  firing 
her  bow  chasers.  At  8  a.  m.  a  large  shark  was  seen 
following  in  our  wake,  and  this  to  a  sailor  is  always  an 
ill  omen ;  and  in  view  of  the  circumstances  under 
which  we  were  now  placed,  the  omen  trivial  as  it  was, 
seemed  to  weigh  with  double  force  upon  the  minds  of 
the  crew.  The  wind  now  blew  strong,  so  that  we  were 
obliged  to  take  in  sky-sails,  and  royal-studding-sails. 


mill  fi'i  -  "T         ' 


•»►  '^^TK  ^^ 


m^m9mr\mmmmm 


mam — "^ 


''I 

HI 


I  main  deck," 

nee  prevailed, 
in  chase.  At 
broad  sheet  of 
e  next  instant 
ing- sail -boom, 
jr  boom  out — 
forward  with 

spar  was  soon 
ig-sail  was  set 
rigged  at  the 
y  sail  was  wet 
,  no  perceptible 
distance  of  the 
,  we  were  now 

8. 

the  chase,  and 
light  hold  our 
cover  to  elude 
te  did  not  cut 
iw  within  less 
yaw  and  her 
r  us,  but  with 
d  uf  us  a  con- 

r  three  more  ot 
my  life  for  it 

held  her  way, 
ving  and  firing 
ihanc  was  seen 
)r  is  always  an 
istances  under 
rivial  as  it  was, 
n  the  minds  of 
10  that  we  were 
-studding-sails. 


LtPE   ON   THE   OCEAN. 


101 


I    1 


Again  the  frigate  sent  another  message  after  us  in  tlie 
shape  of  a  tliirty-two  jx)nnd  shot,  which  fell  a  head  ;  at 
the  same  moment,  having  a  press  of  sail  on  her  main- 
mast, away  went  the  top-gallantmast,  with  all  the  sails 
and  spars  connected  with  and  above  it.  This  appeared 
to  throw  them  into  great  confusion.  Three  cheers  were 
now  given  by  our  crew. 

"Run  that  long  nine  pounder  from  midships  aft,  and 
we  will  let  the  Spaniard  hoar  from  us,"  said  Captain  W. 

"Aye,  aye  !"  said  an  old  salt — who  by  the  way  was 
captam  of  the  gun  called  'Nancy  Dawson.'  "Nancy 
has  had  something  to  boast  of  in  her  time,  and  she'll 
be  proud  to  have  some  small  talk  with  that  cut-throat, 
yonder." 

The  gun  was  elevated  by  the  old  tar,  who  at  the  same 
time  held  a  conversation  with  his  favourite  ;  and  when 
all  was  ready  the  order  was  given  to  fire,  and  imme- 
diately the  stars  and  stripes  were  hoisted  at  the  peak. 
In  a  short  time  the  smoke  cleared  away,  and  with 
the  aid  of  the  glass  it  was  perceived  that  her  crotchet- 
yard  was  cut  away.  An  exchange  of  shots  between 
us  were  kept  up  for  half  an  hour,  during  which  we 
had  gained  upon  the  chase,  at  least  a  mile ;  and  the 
next  half  hour,  the  distance  was  so  much  increased 
between  the  two  ships — ours  being  about  three  miles 
ahead — that  the  frigate  gave  up  the  chase,  and  hauled 
upon  a  wind. 

The  shark  before  mentioned,  was  still  in  sight  follow- 
ing on,  although  the  ship  was  bounding  through  the 
water  at  the  rate  of  eleven  knots.  Though  we  had  got 
rid  of  one  enemy,  yet  a  secret  dread  seemed  to  prevail 
with  many  of  the  crew  in  reference  to  the  views  of  the 
other  still  keeping  us  company.  It  was  my  forenoon 
watch  below,  and  the  general  topic  of  conversation  was 
about  the  shark.  One  old  sailor  affirmed,  that  while  he 
was  coming  home  from  the  East  Indies,  a  shark  follow- 
ed the  ship  three  days,  and  that  there  were  three  hands 
on  the  sick  list  at  the  same  time,  and  that  on  the  third 
day  ouc  of  the  men  died,  was  sown  up  in  his  hammock 


I 


•."•"«•  ^Pir-v 


t 


102 


Lira   ON   THE   OCBAN. 


and  thrown  overboard ;  and  that  tho  shprk  was  seen 
fifteen  ininutos  betbro  he  was  launched  into  the  deep, 
but  that  no  man  on  board  saw  him  afterwards.  Another 
sailor  swore  that  on  an  outward  bound  voyage  to  the 
West  Indies,  a  shark  followed  the  brig  twonty-four 
hours  ;  at  the  expiration  of  which  period,  one  of  the 
crew  fell  from  the  nmst-head  overboard,  and  that  the 
shark  seized  him'  as  quick  as  he  struck  the  water. 

At  11  A.  M.  the  Simtiish  frigate  was  out  of  sight,  and 
at  meridian,  the  wind  hauled  to  the  larboard  quarter, 
the  starboard  studding  sails  were  taken  in,  and  as  there 
were  no  light  sails  set  forward,  having  run  all  the  morn- 
ing dead  before  the  wind,  orders  were  given  to  loose 
the  fore-topgallant-sails,  and  set  the  larboard  topgallant 
studding-sails.  The  top-men  in  the  larboard  watch  had 
already  come  down  from  the  tops,  and  as  I  belonged  to 
the  fore-top  at  this  time,  I  sprung  into  the  rigging; 
another  top-man  following  me  as  soon  as  the  order  was 
given.  While  ascending  the  futtock  shrouds,  to  get 
into  the  topmast  rigging,  the  man-rope  which  had  been 
fitted  but  a  few  days  before,  parted,  causing  me  to  fall ; 
in  my  descent  I  struck  my  srupmate,  which  broke  his 
hold,  and  thiew  him  overboard,  while  1  caught  by  tho 
lanyards  of  the  fore-rigging.  We  rounded  too  imme- 
diately, and  carried  away  many  of  our  light  spars  in  so 
doing  ;  but  the  poor  fellow  was  never  seen  afterwards, 
and  the  awful  tragedy  of  his  fate  was  soon  manifest  by 
the  traces  of  blood  which  were  seen  upon  the  surface  of 
the  water.    The  shark,  however,  was  seen  no  more. 

October  2S. — Our  next  destination  was  the  gulf  of 
Califoirnia,  but  en  it  was  probable  that  the  frigate  would 
go  into  Acapulco,  it  was  thought  most  prudent  by 
Captain  W.  to  delay  the  time  of  entering  the  gulf  to  a 
remoter  period ;  ana  it  was  therefore  concluded  to  opend 
a  month  in  taking  seals  at  Shelvack's  Island. 

All.  sail  was  made,  and  we  steered  away  from  the 
west-north-west  with  a  cracking  breeze  from  the  east- 
ward. From  the  circumstance  of  the  chase,  and  the 
loss  of  one  among  the  best  seamen  we  had  on  board, 


t 

t 
t 

s 

ii 

Si 

q 

I 


pt'w        ■*- 


iprk  was  seen 
nto  the  deep, 
■irdn.   AnoiheT 
voyage  to  the 
g  twenty- four 
r)d,  one  of  the 
,  and  that  the 
10  water. 
it  of  sight,  and 
•board  quarter, 
n,  and  as  there 
n  all  the  morn- 
given  to  loose 
onrd  topgallant 
jard  watch  had 
fl  I  belonged  to 
0  the  rigging; 
s  the  order  was 
ihrouds,  to  get 
irhich  had  been 
sing  me  to  fall ; 
hich  broke  his 
caught  by  tho 
ded  too  imme- 
ght  spars  in  so 
leen  afterwards, 
3on  manifest  by 
n  the  surface  of 
sen  no  more, 
ras  the  gulf  of 
le  frigate  would 
)st  prudent  by 
ng  the  gulf  to  a 
eluded  to  spend 
and. 

away  fipom  the 
e  fipom  the  east- 
chase,  and  the 
e  had  on  board, 


i.i'-'h  on  the  ocKAtt. 


108 


taken  in  connection  with  our  recent  misfortunes,  the 
opinion  became  prevalent  among  the  crew,  that  our 
craft  was  an  unlucky  ship.  A  youthful  seaman  who 
belonged  to  Boston,  said  that  he  saw  the  ship  when  sho 
was  on  the  stocks,  and  aillnncd  that  while  she  wan 
being  planked  up,  tho  staging  broke  down  and  fractured 
the  scull  of  one  nmn  and  l)roke  tho  ribs  of  another.  The 
same  youth  ullirrned  furthermore,  that  he  had  heard  while 
the  ship  was  on  her  second  voyage  to  Liverpool,  that  a 
man  was  lost  overboard  in  the  night  fVom  on  the  main- 
to|)sail  yard  while  reefing  the  sail.  I  perceived  that  it 
made  a  very  deep  impression  upon  my  old  topnmte, 
Jack  Sawyer,  although  he  never  ninchod  from  the  most 
daring  enterprise  or  dangerous  duty ;  yet  he  would 
often  remind  me  when  aloft  of  the  mournful  fate  of 
Jerry  Wiugate,  and  of  my  wonderful  escape  from  the 
jaws  of  tho  shark.  "One  hand  for  yoursolf,  youngster," 
said  ho,  one  night  while  we  wore  furuug  the  fore- top- 

gallant  sail  in  a  heavy  sc^uall.  She  was  running  furiously 
ef<)re  tho  wind  at  the  tune  and  rolling  heavily  -,  the  top- 
sails being  clewed  down  on  the  cap,  she  was  without 
any  canvass  to  steady  her.  It  was  a  thoughtful  sugges- 
tion, for  at  that  moment,  a  gust  of  wind  took  the  leech 
of  the  saiJ*  firora  my  grasp,  and  threw  it  over  my  head. 
"Hold  on,"  shouted  Jack,  and  as  quick  as  thought  he 
sprang  out  on  the  quarter  of  the  yara,  and  I  felt  his  iron 
grasp  around  my  body.  Fortunately,  the  bunt-gasket 
had  been  made  fast  before  the  sail  blew  from  my  grip, 
or  the  voyage  ollifo  would  probably  have  been  up  with 
every  one  on  the  yard. 

"Youngster,"  said  Jack,  after  we  had  got  down  into 
the  foretop,  for  we  had  both  been  transferred  to  that  sta- 
tion, "1  don't  half  like  this  ship,  for  I  have  a  notion  we 
shall  have  bad  luck  all  the  cruise,  and  take  my  vrord  for 
it  this  craft  will  not  die  a  natural  death,  but  come  to 
some  bad  end.  I  don't  know  how  it  is  but  I've  had 
queer  kind  of  feelings,  especially,  when  I  saw  one  of 
your  pins  to-night  looking  up  to  these  black  clouds,  juat 
for  all  the  world  as  if  it  was  singing  out  for  helpfiom  th« 


r 


■"■"»«■ 


^♦5^- 


104 


LIFE   ON  THE   OCEAN. 


i 


Other  -,  but  I  say,  youngster,  when  my  flipper  is  within 
grabbing,  hold  of  your  carcass,  you're  safe,  or  we  both 
go  to  Davy  Jones'  together.  Jack  meant  just  what  he 
said,  for  he  was  as  true  hearted  a  sailor  as  ever  floated 
upon  the  ocean. 

November  4. — ^During  the  preceding  seven  days,  the 
wind  continued  fresh  from  the  eastward,  and  the  wea- 
ther generally  good;  occasionally  however  interrupted 
Avith  severe  squalls  of  wind  and  rain.  This  morning 
was  cloudy,  and  appearances  indicated  that  the  island 
was  not  far  distant,  for  land  birds  appeared,  and  pieces 
of  wood  were  seen  floating  on  the  water,  and  indeed  we 
expected  to  make  the  island  that  day,  and  were  not  dis- 
appointed in  our  hopes,  for  at  4  p.  m.  "land  ho !"  was 
sung  out  from  the  mast-head,  bearing  west-north-west, 
distant  12  leagues.  Its  appearance  at  first  sight  from 
its  immense  height,  was  like  a  cloud  rising  from  the  sea, 
but  the  practised  eye  of  the  seaman  aloft  soon  distin- 
guished it  to  be  land,  from  the  deep  blue  indented  lines 
aiid  spots  which  marked  its  summit.  All  the  light  sails 
were  now  taken  in,  and  the  courses,  jib  and  spanker 
were  furled,  and  the  usual  preparations  made  for  coming 
to  an  anchor.  The  distance  from  the  island  being  so 
great  that  it  was  impossible  to  reach  the1!|bchorage 
ground  before  night  shut  in,  we  ran  along  under  easy 
sail  until  midnight,  and  then  hove  too,  the  island  being 
in  sight. 

November  6. — At  daylight  the  island  was  about  six 
miles  distant,  and  the  anchorage  was  at  the  extreme 
south-west  end ;  bore  away  and  stood  in.  At  8  a.  m. 
rounded  the  westernmost  point  and  anchored  with  the 
small  bower  in  fifteen  fathoms  water,  one  mile  from  the 
shore.  It  cannot  be  said  that  vessels  have  any  shelter 
whatever  at  this  island,  and  it  is  well  that  in  these  lati- 
tudes storms  of  long  duration  are  not  prevalent  The 
shore,  with  one  or  two  exceptions  is  completely  iron- 
bound  with  rocks,  which  would  inevitably  prove  &ta]  to 
any  ship  that  should  be  so  unfortunate  a£(  to  be  driven 
on  shore.    The  island  is  high,  and  presets  a  most  un- 


H 


cl 
tj 
II 
tl 


>3m>i.'j«Migiw  ■ua.jt'ji.'j.utiijv 


r^v 


pper  is  within 
fe,  or  we  both 
just  what  he 
IS  ever  floated 

sven  days,  the 
,  and  the  wea- 
er  interrupted 
This  morning 
hat  the  island 
•ed,  and  pieces 
and  indeed  we 
I  were  not  dis- 
land  ho !"  was 
est-north-wGSt, 
irst  sight  ftom 
ig  from  the  sea, 
)ft  soon  distin- 
I  indented  Unes 
il  the  Ught  sails 
b  and  spanker 
lade  for  coming 
island  being  so 
theUbchorage 
ing  under  easy 
island  being 

was  about  six 
|at  the  exueme 
in.     At  8  A.  M. 
fhored  with  the 
_  mile  from  the 
lave  any  shelter 
[at  in  these  iati- 
)revalent.    The 
jompletely  iron- 
tly  prove  fetal  to 
i  to  be  driven 
tts  a  most  un- 


LIFE   ON  THE   OCEAN. 


105 


promising  appearance  of  barrenness  and  sterility,  the 
whole  surface  being  nearly  covered  with  rocks  and 
stones,  except  here  and  there  a  spot  of  shrubbery  or 
verdure  is  seen  to  relieve  the  eye  from  this  wild  ana  in- 
hospitable prospect.  There  is  also  a  small  round  island 
detached  from  the  main  one  by  a  channel  half  a  mile 
wide,  and  which  differs  in  every  respect  from  the  larger 
island,  as  it  is  covered  with  trees  and  verdure,  and  pre- 
sents the  most  striking  contrast ;  so  much  so,  that  the 
mind  can  scarcely  conceive  any  connection  ever  to  have 
existed  between  the  two  islands.  We  landed  in  our 
boats,  and  the  first  object  we  had  in  view  was  to  ascer- 
tain if  water  could  be  procured.  After  the  most  diligent 
search,  however,  for  nearly  a  whole  day,  we  were  dis- 
appointed, nor  did  we  find  any  during  our  stay,  except 
one  very  inconsiderable  spring  of  fresh  water,  which 
must  undoubtedly  be  dry  many  months  in  the  year. 
With  this  exception,  and  some  rain  water  which  had 
lodged  on  the  indented  rocks,  this  valuable  support  of 
nature  was  not  found  on  the  island. 

We  were  not  ashore  many  hours  before  we  saw  great 
numbers  of  seal  crawling  upon  a  sandy  beach,  which  is 
their  usual-  custom  about  mid-day  to  sun  themselves^ 
We  threw  ourselves  on  the  rocks,  and  lay  perfectly  quiet 
for  an  hour,  watching  their  movements.  It  was  a  cu- 
rious sight,  as  they  evinced  much  sagacity  in  their 
arrangements  for  a  nap,  which  was  as  follows ;  An  old 
whig,  the  male  seal,  takes  a  station  on  the  extreme  right; 
.the  old  clap-match,  which  is  the  female  seal,  is  on  the 
extreme  left.  Regular  platoons  of  the  younger  seals  are 
formed  firom  the  edge  of  the  water  to  a  distanot*  of  about 
fifty  yards  upon  the  beach,  and  what  is  more  singular, 
the  most  advantageous  position  is  chosen  by  each  to 
back  off  into  the  water  in  case  of  attack  or  alarm. 
The  old  seals  before  mentioned  never  sleep  while  on' 
duty.  As  there  were  but  few  of  us  on  shore  at  this 
time,  and  not  being  prepared  for  killing  them,  we  re- 
mained quiet  upon  the  rocks  until  they  had  finished 
their  nap  in  the  not  sun,  of  about  it,vro  hours,  and  then 
•     10 


»'»y.-.-v.'«fiii)iiii>lir.iiyi  . . 


.'.a... 


r 


106 


) 


LirS  ON  THE  OOE&ir. 


i 


saw  them  back  quietly  off  into  the  water,  the  old  seale 
bein^  the  last  to  submerge  into  the  waves.  The  next 
day  It  was  determined  that  a  party,  consisting  of  forty 
men,  should  land  early,  for  the  purpose  of  kilUng  seals, 
and  Uie  necesspry  preparations  were  made,  such  as  pro- 
curing clubs  with  an  iron  ring  at  one  end,  stakes,  beuns, 
dec.  to  drv  the  skins  upon. 

Novenuter  8. — ^Early  this  morning  we  repaired  to  the 
shore,  making  a  division  of  our  number;  one  party 
taking  the  extreme  right  of  the  sand  beach,  and  the 
other  party  the  extreme  left.  At  either  end  of  this  beach 
there  were  rocks,  upon  which  the  parties  lay,  so  as  to 
be  hid  from  the  seals.  Upon  a  signal  given,  both  par- 
ties were  to  rush  simultaneously  between  the  seals  and 
the  water,  and  commence  the  dire  work  of  slaying  as 
&8t  as  possible.  We  lay  on  the  rocks  nearly  four  hours 
before  a  single  seal  made  its  appearance.  At  length, 
about  half  past  ten,  some  old  whigs  and  clap-matches 
came  to  the  shore,  followed  by  great  numbers  of  younger 
and  smaller  seals.  They  proceeded  to  form  in  the 
same  order  as  before  described,  and  it  was  not  until 
half  past  eleven  that  the  last  of  them  came  on  shore. 
The  sun  shone  exceedingly  warm  and  the  seals  soon 
feu  asleep.  There  were  two  old  sealers  amoug  the 
crew,  who  said  it  would  not  do  to  attack  them  for  half 
an  hour.  This  "rookery,"  (which  is  the  name  ^ven 
by  sealers  to  a  large  number  collected  together)  was 
thoc^t  by  the  second  officer,  Mr.  C,  to  contain  twenty 
thousand.  The  time  arriving  for  the  attack,  the  signu 
was  made,  we  rushed  with  impetuosity  down  the  rocks 
on  the  beach  between  the  seals  and  the  water,  and  with 
an  unsparing  hand  began  the  work  of  death.  A  sliriit 
blow  with  the  club  on  the  head  was  sufficient  for  Uie 
young  "pups,"  but  it  was  not  quite  so  easy  a  task  with 
the  old  "whigs"  and  "clap-matches ;"  and  the  woik  of 
death  with  them  was  attended  \dth  some  hazard;  es- 
pecially if,  in  the  rencounter,  the  man  should  bxpptxi  to 
fall ;  in  tfiat  case  he  would  be  torn  to  pieces  by  theM 
huge  animids,  for  their  mouths  are  as  laii^  as  raat  ofa 


U 


IT,  the  old  smlf 
^es.  The  next 
isifltin^  of  faitf 
}f  kilhng  seals, 
le,  such  as  pro- 
,  stakes,  beains, 

repaired  to  the 
ber;  one  party 
beach,  ana  the 
ad  of  this  beach 
es  lay,  so  as  to 
pven,  both  par- 
in  the  seals  and 
rk  of  slaying  as 
early  four  hours 
ce.    At  length, 
id  clap-matches 
ibers  of  younger 
to  form  in  the 
t  was  not  until 
came  on  shore. 
I  the  seals  soon 
lers  amoug  the 
ik  them  for  half 
the  name  g^ven 
id  together)  was 
3  contain  twenty 
ittack,  the  signal 
down  the  rodcs 
I  water,  and  with 
death.    A  sli^t 
mfficient  for  me 
easy  a  task  with 
and  the  work  of 
ome  hazard;  es- 
ihould  h^[qpen  to 
•  pieces  by  these 
large  as  th«t  of  a 


* 


^■\ 


=11 


ti,u 


harm  on  thb  ocean. 


107 


lion.  This  battle  caused  me  considerable  tenor,  it  be- 
ing the  first  in  which  I  made  one  of  the  party,  or  had 
ever  witnessed.  What  with  the  roaring  of  the  old  seals, 
maddened  to  desperation,  and  the  ydpmg  of  the  yotmg 
paps,  together  with  the  shouts  of  the  crew,  formed  to 
my  mind,  9  kind  of  pandemonium  scene,  firom  which  I 
should  have  been  exceedingly  glad  to  have  escaped. 
The  work  of  death  was  soon  over,  the  great  majority  of 
the  seals  having  made  their  escape  to  the  water ;  never- 
theless, we  had  obtained  a  great  victory,  the  trophies  of 
which  were  two  thousand  five  hundred  seeds.  They 
were  of  the  very  best  kind  of  fur  sesA,  and  the  work  of 
skinning  and  beaming  now  commenced;  but  night 
coming  on  before  it  was  half  finirvhed,  we  returned  to 
the  ship. 

Early  the  next  morning  we  renewed  our  labour  with 
the  seal,  and  before  the  dinner  hour  arrived,  we  had 
them  all  finished  and  spread  out  to  dry.  A  party  of  men 
straggled  away  to  anouer  part  of  the  island  where  they 
saw  a  number  of  skeletons  of  the  sea-elephant;  but 
they  were  destined  in  this  ramble  to  &11  in  widi  a  sight 
which  petrified  them  with  horror ;  it  was  no  less  dian 
the  skeletons  of  seven  human  beings,  who  no  doubt 
had  been  left  on  the  island  for  the  purpose  of  getting 
elephant  oil  and  seal;  and  probably  the  vesad  to  wl^^ 
tbey  belonged  was  lost,  and  these  poor  fellows  perished, 
for  want  of 'provisions  and  water.  This  idea  was  cor- 
roborated, as  the  party  fell  in  with  the  remains  o(  a 
hut,  and  many  places  where  fires  had  been  made. 
The  bones  were  collected  together  and  put  under  ground. 
It  was  necessary  that  the  seal  skins  should  remain  on 
the  stake  five  or  six  days,  before  thev  would  be  suffi- 
ciently jiry  to  pack  away  wit^xout  injury,  and  a  tent 
was  erected  on  shore,  Sjid  a  party  left  to  guard  them 
agunst— we  knew  not  what,  except  it  might  be  some 
deer,  which  were  seen  on  the  hills,  and  they,  it  was 
nresumed,  wotdd  neither  carry  them  off  nor  eat  them. 
During  ottr%tay  here,  we  killed  about  seven  hundred  in 
addition  to  our  nrmer  number,  which  made  a  comidement 


-^^immim 


imt^ti  ouiiLriiiiiwiIW?J«giiaiiBfe||.U7! 


:i  I  a,-..ii#J-i 


•«■*" 


mmmmM 


Ife^-' 


IDS 


UFE   ON  THE   OCEAN. 


of  about  three  thousand  two  hundred  skins,  a  valuable 
acquisition  for  the  Canton  market. 

November  11. — ^As  we  had  seen  a  number  of  deer 
upon  the  small  island,  a  party  was  sent  ashore  in  three 
boats,  to  endeavour  if  possible  to  kill  some  of  them. 
Twenty  men  landed  and  ascended  in  a  b«dy  to  the 
most  elevated  part.  Separating  and  spreading  them- 
selves, they  descended  at  the  same  time,  shouting  at  the 
top  of  their  voices,  which  frightened  the  deer,  and  as  is 
usual  with  them,  when  hotly  chased,  they  took  to  the 
water.  The  boat's  crew  being  in  readiness,  shot  seven, 
and  caught  two  alive,  one  of  which  became  so  tame, 
that  he  would  feed  like  a  puppy  about  the  decks,  and 
we  carried  him  the  voyage  round. 

November  16. — During  the  preceding  days  a  part  of 
the  crew  were  employed  in  the  usual  duties  of  the  ship, 
while  others  were  engaged  in  exploring  the  island. 
Nothing  new  or  rare  however  was  obtained  from  this 
inhospitable  spot.  We  caught  fish  in  great  numbers, 
and  if  fresh  water  could  have  been  obtained,  our  sojourn 
thither  would  have  been  exceedingly  advantageous. 

Ndvember  10. — The  skins  being  now  completely  dry, 
were  packed  in  boxes  and  taken  oflF  to  the  ship,  and 
the  remainder  of  this  day  as  well  as  the  17th,  we 
were  engaged  in  killing  sea-elephants,  two  of  which 
we  captured  with  much  difficulty,  having  fired  about 
a  dozen  musket  balls  into  their  bodies,  and  lanced 
them  until  they  were  literally  cut  to  pieces.  Incredible 
as  it  may  appetar  one  of  them  yielded  seven  barrels  of 
oil. 


TT'] 


/r 


(^ 


'',«i«t>»AnM!i|H 


a 


skins,  a  valuable 

number  of  deer 
;  ashore  in  three 
some  of  them. 
I  a  b«dy  to  the 
spreading  them- 
!,  shouting  at  the 
e  deer,  and  as  is 
they  took  to  the 
ness,8hot  seven, 
]ecame  so  tame, 
t  the  decks,  and 

days  a  part  of 
ities  of  the  ship, 
ring  the  island, 
ained  from  this 

great  numbers, 
ned,  our  sojourn 
vantageous. 

completely  dry, 
o  the  ship,  and 
is  the  17th,  we 
,  two  of  which 
ring  fired  about 
ies,  and  lanced 
ces.  Incredible 
seven  barrels  of 


•AIL    rOR   THE   OULF  Or   CALIFORMU — FHIENDLT  RBCCPTION  AKO 
AOBEEABLB   INTSRCOURSS    WITH   THE   SPANIARDS  AT   GVIMAS. 

November  18. — We  had  now  completed  the  objject 
for  which  we  had  come  to  the  island,  and  having 
remained  here  twenty-one  days,  it  was  the  opiniou  of 
Captain  W.  that  we  should  incur  no  risk  in  proceeding 
immediately  to  the  Gulf  of  California.  Weighed  anchor 
at  8  A.  M.  made  all  sail  with  the  wind  from  the  northward, 
and  steered  away  from  the  island  to  the  eastward,  the 
weather  becoming  cloudy,  with  occasional  squalls  and 
variable  winds.  The  gloom  had  now  in  some  deg^^e 
worn  away,  and  all  appeared  in  good  spirits,  especially 
as  it  was  thought  we  should  finish  the  sale  of  our 
cargo  on  the  coast  of  California,  and  although  we  had 
a  long  cruise  before  us  when  we  should  leave  this 
coast,  yet  even  in  prospect  it  was  hailed  by  every  man 
on  board  as  being  homeward  bound. 

November  21. — The  last  three  days  nothing  worthy  of 
note  or  comment  transiired,  every  advantage  of  the 
shifts  of  wind  was  taken,  and  this  day  we  entered  the 
Gulf  of  California.  It  may  be  well  to  remark  here,  that 
Capt.  W.  was  an  old  north-west  trader,  and  consequently 
was  well  acquainted  on  this  coast;  and  he  was  sanguine 
in  the  belief  that  two  ports  in  California  would  tc»nunate 
tiie  business  of  the  ship  on  the  Spanish  coi^t;  after 
which  we  were  to  proceed  northward  to  dispose  of  some 
articles,  adapted  to  the  Indians  of  that  coast,  ai»l  if  pos- 
sible to  procure  otter  skins  in  exchanse. 

Novemher  22.— At  6  a,  m.  prepared  to  andior  in  die 

Bay  of  Goimas,  which  lies  twenty  league*  eastward  of 

Cape  CoriMites.    At  10  a.  bc.,  saw  the  town  of  Guimas 

ana  its  beautiful  bay — stood  boldly  in  and  anchored 

10» 


/ 


,.?%-„it,.tvv'. 


mmmmm 


^^iTw 


..Ob; 


K 


110 


LIFE   ON   THE   OCEAN. 


with  the  small  bower  in  ten  fathoms  water,  two  miles 
from  the  shore.  This  town  although  small,  is  garrisoned 
by  a  fort  mounting  ten  guns  with  a  complement  of  fifty 
men  under  the  command  of  a  colonel.  It  is  a  place  of 
some  importance,  because  it  is  the  nearest  port  on  the 
Pacific  Ocean  to  the  City  of  Mexico.  The  reason  for 
our  anchoring  at  so  great  a  distance,  was  to  be  out  of 
gun-shot  of  the  fort,  and  avoid  all  interference  until  we 
could  settle  upon  a  plan  of  operations  for  trade.  The 
whole  of  this  day  we  waited  anxiously  for  some  com- 
munication from  the  shore,  but  as  none  was  apparent, 
we  lifted  our  anchor  and  dropped  in  so  as  to  be  within 
short  gun-shot  of  the  fort.  This  was  done,  in  order  to 
cover  our  boats,  it  being  the  intention  to  land  next 
morning.  During  the  night  a  sharp  look-out  was  kept 
up.  In  the  morning,  according  to  previous  arrange- 
ment, a  boat  bearing  a  white  flag  in  the  bows,  was  sent 
on  shore,  under  the  command  of  the  third  officer,  with 
the  interpreter.  They  were  received  very  courteously 
by  the  colonel,  and  the  strongest  expressions  of  pleasure 
and  satisfection  were  evinced  at  the  sight  of  our  noble 
ship,  more  especially  when  they  understood  the  nature 
of  our  business.  It  was  said  by  them  that  no  foreign 
ship  had  ever  visited  this  place,  and  that  the  whole 
co'intry  was  in  the  greatest  want  of  articles,  such  as 
linens  of  every  description,  muslins,  cottons,  &c.  None 
of  those  fabrics  were  to  be  had  throughout  the  whole 
coast  and  country  except  in  the  city  of  Mexico.  The 
colonel  was  politely  invited  to  go  on  board,  which  in- 
vitation he  immediately  accepted,  and  no  distrust  or 
fear  was  manifested  by  any  of  tho  Spaniards,  who  had 
flocked  down  in  considerable  numbers  to  the  beach 
where  the  boat  landed.  The  boat  returned  to  the  ship 
with  the  Spanish  colonel,  who  was  received  with  the 
most  marked  attention,  and  he  seemed  perfectly  amazed 
and  delighted  when  he  beheld  the  beautiful  symmetry  of 
our  ship,  her  perfect  cleanluiess,  and  the  order  and  regu< 
latity  of  her  battery ;  and  no  marvel,  for  this  was  die 
first  time  he  had  ever  set  his  foot  on  boari  of  a  ship. 


•■  v\= 


mter,  two  miles 
ill,  is  garrisoned 
plement  of  fifty 

It  is  a  place  of 
rest  port  on  the 

The  reason  for 
vas  to  be  out  of 
erence  until  we 
for  trade.  The 
Y  for  some  com- 
e  was  apparent, 
as  to  be  within 
lone,  in  order  to 
1  to  land  next 
3k-out  was  kept 
Bvious  arrange- 
bows,  was  sent 
ird  officer,  with 
ery  courteously 
lions  of  pleasure 
fht  of  our  noble 
tood  the  nature 
I  that  no  foreign 
that  the  whole 
Tticles,  such  as 
ons,  &c.  None 
jhout  the  whole 
'  Mexico.  The 
)oard,  which  in- 

no  distrust  or 
liards,  who  had 
s  to  the  beach 
ned  to  the  ship 
ceived  with  the 
>erfectly  amazed 
iful  symmetry  of 
order  and  regu- 
for  this  was  the 
i)oari  ot  a  ship. 


LIFE  ON  THE  OCEAN. 

He  appeared  to  regard  the  offi  ers  and  crew  as  a  race  of 
superior  beings,  at  the  same  time  expressing  freely  his 
opmion  in  relation  to  our  force,  which  had  been  magnified 
by  us  to  a  much  greater  degree  than  it  reb  ^y  was.  No 
consideration,  however,  would  indtiee  him  to  permit  us  to 
trade,  unless  the  consent  of  the  viceroy  could  be  obtained, 
of  which  he  expressed  not  the  least  doubt,  and  offered  to 
dispatcli  a  courier  immediately  to  the  city  of  Mexico  to 
obtain  permission-  to  trade,  as  well  as  the  fixed  rate  of 
duties.  This  was  all  fair  and  reasonable,  and  Capt.  W. 
determined  to  wait  patiently  the  result.  As  to  the  rate 
of  duties  it  was  a  mere  matter  of  moonshine  to  us,  so 
that  we  obtained  permission  to  sell.  An  invitation 
was  given  to  the  colonel  to  visit  the  ship,  and~a  gene- 
ral invitation  was  sent  on  shore  to  all  the  inhabitants  to 
the  sp.me  effect  >  mong  our  crew  there  were  a  number 
of  musicians  who  had  formed  themselves  into  a  kind  of 
band,  and  although  their  music  was  not  as  ravishing  ~t 
it  might  have  been  under  other  circumstances  yet  it 
afforded  exquisite  enjoyment  to  .,.iose  who  liad  never 
heard  better.  These  men  were  ordered  to  keep  them- 
selves constantly  clean,  and  be  in  readiness  to  salute 
the  delicate  earc  of  the  Spaniards  with  a  concord  of 
sweet  sounds.  In  a  word,  the  decks  were  cleared,  and 
every  thing  connected  with  the  ship,  her  discipline, 
cleanliness,  <fec.  was  in  the  most  perfect  order.  No 
other  duty  was  permitted  to  go  on  except  the  boat  ser- 
vice; in  transporting  the  Spaniards  to  and  tiom  the  ship.  . 
Every  morning  a  gun  was  fired  and  the  ship  was  dressed 
and  decorated  fore-and-aft  with  the  flags  of  alniost  every 
civilized  nation,  in  addition  to  a  number  of  signals  which 
were  on  board.  The  most  friendly  intercourse  was 
kept  up  between  the  inhabitants,  our  officers  and  crew ; 
many  of  the  Spaniards,  females  as  well  as  males,  dined 
on  board  finm  time,  to  time ;  but  that  which  seemed  to 
delight  them  more  than  anything  else  was  our  music ; 
which  poor  as  it  was,  to  them  was  a  source  of  great 
{deasure.  The  great  contrast  of  complexion,  beauty 
and  manliness  of  many  of  our  crew,  to  those  of  tm 


I  ■  \\,-i/-. 


■■-«g25^gJ*P*4iJ'*.S*4MMltej6!wi 


»Mmii»,mmxiMjni£3tei^Siia:SS!SMuiSmSSSff'> 


tlFB   ON  THE   OCBAN. 


Spaniards,  caused  a  number  of  the  ^oung  Spanish  dam* 
sels  to  lose  their  hearts. 

The  new's  of  our  arrival  having  spread  abroad  in  the 
country,  great  numbers  flocked  down  and  pitched  their 
tents,  so  as  to  have  a  fair  view  of  the  ship ;  and  it  is 
no  exaggeration  in  stating,  that  at  least  one  milh  n  of 
Spanish  dollars,  platina,  and  old  plate,  were  lying  on 
the  beach  in  their  tents,  the  whole  brought  here  for  the 
purpose  of  trade.  Indeed,  many  of  their  cooking  utensils 
as  well  as  other  articles  of  furniture,  were  made  of  silver. 
They  appeared  on  the  other  hand  to  be  destitute  of 
almost  every  article  of  wearing  apparel,  find  it  was 
curious  to  see  the  Spaniards  with  their  families.  The 
dress  of  the  male  consisted  of  a  straw  hat^  a  camisa  or 
shirt  of  coarse  linen,  and  breeches  of  the  same  material, 
v/ith  old  silk  stockings,  procured  as  we  understood  from 
the  city  of  Mexico,  and  a  pair  of  thin  slippers  which 
completed  his  whole  costume.  The  dress  of  the  females 
(some  of  whom  were  beautiful,  especially  the  younger 
part)  corresponded  exactly  as  to  quality  with  that  of  the 
males,  their  garments  were  made  badly  and  worn  sloven- 
ly. Such  then  is  the  description  of  a  Spaniard  and  his 
&mily,  who  had  with  them  at  least  fifty  thousand  dol- 
lars. I  have  actually  seen  a  young  female,  whose  "vest- 
ments were  not  worth  one  dollar,  wearing  a  string  of 
pearls  around' her  neck,  which  would  sell  in  any  Eirro- 
pean  market  for  a  thousand. 

December  7. — This  day  despatches  were  received 
£rom  Mexico  by  the  Spanish  colonel,  granting  us  per- 
mission to  sell  the  cargo,  with  the  proviso  that  fifteen 
per  cent  duties  should  be  secured  to  the  government 
This  was  good  news,  indeed,  for  a  few  days  of  unin- 
terrupted business  would  close  our  operations  on  the 
Spamsh  coast  All  of  the  officers  were  employed  in 
effecting  sales  of  the  cargo,  and  so  great  was  the  demand 
fi)r  linens  of  every  description,  that,  incredible  as  it  may 
tqppear,  coarse  Irish  linens  sold  from  eighty  to  one  hun- 
dred dollars  per  piece,  German  platillas  at  eighty  dollars 
per  piece,  silk  stockings  eighty-four  dollars  per  dozen, 


Spanish  dam- 

1  abroad  in  the 

I  pitched  their 
ihip ;  and  it  is 
one  milii  ^n  of 
were  lying  on 
ht  here  for  the 
ooking  utensils 
made  of  silver, 
be  destitute  of 
I,  rind  it  was 
families.  The 
lal,  a  camisa  or 

E>ame  material, 
nderstood  from 
slippers  which 
i  of  the  females 

y  the  younger 
krith  that  of  the 
id  worn  sloven- 
mniard  and  his 
r  thousand  dol- 
ile,  whose  vest- 
ing a  string  of 

II  in  any  Etiro- 

were  received 
"anting  us  per- 
iso  that  fifteen 
lie  government 

days  of  unin- 
irations  on  the 
e  employed  in 
ras  the  demand 
idibie  as  it  may 
ity  to  one  hun- 
t  eighty  dollars 
lars  per  dozen, 


LIPB   ON  THE   OCEAN. 


113 


calicos  from  four  to  seven  dollars  per  yard,  and  every 
article  of  merchandise  that  suited  the  buyers  were  sold 
in  the  same  proportions.  The  men  also  found  a  ready 
sale  «nd  large  prices  for  their  private  adventures.  While 
our  business  was  progressing,  and  that  tui.  in  the  most 
advantageous  ma  iner,  dinner  parties  were  frequently 
given  on  board  t'>  the  Spaniards,  and  the  samt  compli- 
ment was  returned  by  them  to  the  captain,  officers,  and 
many  of  the  crew  on  shore.  Thus  the  time  nassed 
away  in  the  greatest  harmony.  So  strong  did  tne  at- 
tachment become  for  our  crew  by  the  Spaniards,  both 
male  and  female,  that  many  of  us  were  pressed  by  them 
to  leave  the  ship  and  settle  with  them.  I  cannot  omit 
here  noticing  a  circumstance  which  took  place  at  this 
time.  A  young  sailor,  belonging  to  the  ship,  of  fine 
appearance  and  prepossessing  manners,  had  the  good 
fortune  to  captivate  the  heart  of  one  of  the  young  dam- 
sels. Her  father  was  a  rich  old  Don,  and  she  an  only 
daughter;  and  as  the  young  sailor  belonged  to  one  of 
the  boats,  he  consequently  had  frequent  opportunities 
of  intercourse  with  the  fair  one.  He  was  loaded  with 
presents  of  ;"ery  description,  such  as  .the  place  could 
afford ;  and  when  the  departure  of  the  ship  was  talked 
of,  she  would  express  a  determination  either  to  go  in 
the  ship  herself,  or  that  her  lover  should  remain  on 
shore.  Matters  stood  thus  unfii  the  time  of  our  depar- 
ture had  nearly  arrived,  when  ?•' .rf  importuned  her  father 
to  obtain  leave  from  Captain  W.  for  her  lover  to  remain 
in  the  country ;  but  although  he  had  managed  this  love 
affair  very  adroitly  with  the  senorita,  yet  his  passion  did 
not  become  so  viol  ant  as  to  induce  him  to  abandon  his 
ship  and  his  couuiry,  and  remain  among  the  Spaniards. 
The  young  lady  was  ihconsolabk  rt  his  refuaal,  and  sd 
the  matter  ended. 

December  22.— The  last  fifteen  days,  as  before  stated, 
we  were  assiduously  employed  in  making  sales  of  the 
csa^,  and  transporting  the  merchandise  on  shore.  We 
had  now  sold  neari^^  all  the  goods,  with  the  exception 
of  about  twenty  cases  of  muslins,  which  did  not  suit 


""trr 


114 


Uri  Otr  THE   OOSAW. 


!■-• 


that  market,  and  some  articles  which  were  expresriy 
adapted  to  the  northern  coast  to  barter  for  otter  skins. 
The  amount  of  our  sales  in  this  place  was  one  hundrtd 
and  forty  thouaand  doUara;  say  ninety  thousand  Spanish 
dollars,  forty  thousand  dollars  in  old  plate,  and  ten  thon* 
sand  dollars  in  platina  and  pearls. 

We  filled  all  our  water  casks,  got  off  twenty  bullocks 
and  great  quantities  of  fruit ;  here  also  were  yams  in 
great  abundance,  a  good  substitute  for  potatoes,  an  arti- 
cle of  all  others  the  most  desirable  for  the  ship's  com- 
pany, consequently  we  took  on  board  a  large  supply. 

December  23. — As  the  time  of  our  departure  was  fixed 
for  the  25th,  a  laive  suid  splendid  dinner  was  given  on 
board  by  Capt.  W.  to  about  fifty  Spanish  ladies  and 
gentlemen.  In  the  morning  the  ship  was  dressed,  the 
yards  were  manned,  and  a  national  salute  Was  fired. 
The  day  passed  off  with  great  glee  and  merriment, 
and  to  the  unspeakable  satis&ction  of  all  parties.  An 
hour  before  sunset,  when  the  company  was  about  to 
return  on  shore,  the  yards  were  again  manned,  and 
another  salute  given,  and  thus  ended  the  intercoiuse 
which  to  them  was  highly  gratifying  and  to  us  exceed- 
ingly profitable.  On  the  {otemoon  of  the  24th,  being 
on  shore  with  the  boats,  I  had  an  opportunity  of  wit- 
nessing the  apparent  estimation  with  which  these  people 
regarded  us.  't'hey  were  aware  that  this  was  the  last 
interview  that  we  should  have  with  them,  and  they  ap- 
peared to  regret  it  exceedingly.  To  some  of  the  crew 
they  presented  crucifixes,  ana  to  others  a  rosary  of  beads, 
or  a  precious  relic  of  some  saint  One  of  uie  young 
eenonttu  gave  a  youthfid  sailor  an  image  of  the  virgin, 
and  requested  bum  to  wear  it  over  the  region  of  the 
heart  She  assured  him  that  it  would  be  a  protection 
in  the  hour  of  danger,  &c.  After  having  loaded  us  with 
presents,  we  exchanged  the  parting  adieus,  not  without 
raelings  of  regret  and  sorrow  on  both  sides,  as  we  had 
spent  many  jueasant  hours  in  this  place. 

December  26. — Weighed  anchor  and  made  all  sail 
with  a  fine  breeze  firom  the  eastward,  and  stood,  out  of 


((  ! 


mini$i 


mmr 


:m0    I 


nreie  expranriy 
for  otter  ■kins. 
as  one  hundred 
>usand  Spanish 
I,  and  ten  thou* 

nrenty  bullocks 
were  yams  in 
>tatoe8,  an  arti- 
lie  ship's  com- 
wrge  s«:p»»*y. 
rture  was  fixed 
was  given  on 
ish  ladies  and 
as  dressed,  the 
ute  Was  fired. 
Lnd  merriment, 
11  parties.  An 
was  about  to 
manned,  and 
the  intercourse 
1  to  us  exceed* 
lie  24th,  being 
>rtunity  of  wit- 
ch these  people 
is  was  the  last 
a,  and  they  ap- 
me  of  the  crew 
rosary  of  beads, 
I  of  die  young 
B  of  the  virgin, 
I  r^on  of  tlM 
be  a  protection 
loaded  us  with 
lis,  not  without 
ides,  as  we  had 

made  all  sail 
id  stood  cm  of 


J 


LIFK  ON  THE   OOBAIf. 

SlJJ'Lhi?"*™"  *P  ***"  "°'i*''*^-    The  feelings  Of 
regret,  which  seemed  to  pervade  the  minds  of  the  crew 

w  J?h«"J?  I      *"?^'  P°"'  ^•"*  ^«'T^  °«*"^.  »>«cause  it 
was   he  first  social  intercourse  we  had  enjoyed  with  the 

S«'i^'"*'°"'^'''^"*"'".^™»°»*««-    B"»  these 
leeiuigs  soon  gave  wa/  to  those  of  a  more  intense 

oSrSiSS./'"-  ^»^1,P~«Pect  of  a  speedy  terminaUonTf 
touch  rS!  I  °"  ;^"  ''T\  ^^''P^^  W.  resolved  to 
S  «ffJ»  •  -^"^jPPh's  as  the  last  nort,  in  order  if  possible 
to  effect  sales  of  the  few  cases  o/muslins  which  Vas  all 
that  remained  of  the  cargo  intended  for  this  coast 

/?ecemAer  29.— Nothing  material  occurred  during  the 
last  four  days.  At  2  p.  m.  saw  the  Bay  of  St.  Josfph"! 
bearing  north-west,  eight  leagues,  and  stood  ir  with  a 
fine  breeze,  and  anchored  at  6  p.  m.  in  seventeen  fathoms 
JS  I;  *«^« /"'»««  frT  the  shore.  This  bay  is  in  laUtude 
23°  4'  north,  and  109°  42'  west  longitude!^  We  sent  S! 
thi  „*?  ^  next  mojni^^  andvery  soon  ascertained 
that  no  sales  could  be  eflfected  in  this  place,  as  the 
gincipal  persons  belonging  to  the  town  had  visited 
&^'Si''  purchased  a  supply  of  goods  from  us  whUe 
inS!'^    1  he  inhabitants  were  exceedingly  friendly,  and 

bS  r«'rl?in  w®"u  ^^t  a^ve  information  was  received 
no'rth:rc"asT  ''  '""'''^  i««nediatoly  to  go  to  the 
December^l.-Oox  under  way  this  mominp  with  a 
fine  breeze  from  south-east,  made  all  sail,  and  stood  to 
the  northward  and  westward,  our  next  destination  being 
the  Bay  of  Todos  Santos.  The  communication  with  aS 
Spanish  coast,  where  any  danger  could  be  apprehended 
fiom  cruisers,  was  now  at  an  end.  Our  ca.»o  had  been 
IT!^  ^  *°  ^^^  advantage,  and  aU  that  remained 
S^J?  ^  T®*  °^  muslins,  a  matter  of  very  smaU 
imjwrtauce,  when  compared  to  the  probable  detention 

fJ^ji^^  ^  u  "  **'™'  "°^  '*  ^»«  «^ted  that  one  or 

two  ports  on  the  northern  coast  would  be  sufficient  to 

dispose  of  what  articles  we  had  adapted  to  that  market. 

January  1.  1809.~.The  weather  W^beSLSdSk 


1 


fiiSlililrii'i  •*"'^-^'hfjigfo 


■*■  ■t'iiiif''fc  nmmmmimj^i^ '» 


mm 


ma 


116 


LIFE   ON  THE   OCEAN. 


•■I 


'I- 


and  cloudy,  with  occasionnl  squalls,  and  although  we 
were  yet  within  the  limits  of  the  trade  winds,  yet  wo 
had  no  steady  trades  since  we  leil  the  parallel  of  20° 
north. 

January  2d. — Wo  had  strong  htonzm  and  cloudy 
weather  which  obliged  us  to  take  in  our  light  sails. 
Indeed  we  had  been  cruising  so  long  on  the  Spanish 
coast  with  uninterrupted  fine  weather  and  lair  winds, 
that  the  cluingei^  which  we  now  began  to  experience 
while  incrca.sing  our  latitude  proved  quite  a  novelty. 

Januari/  4. — ^I'his  day  as  well  as  the  preceding,  we 
continued  under  a  press  of  sail,  standing  to  the  north- 
ward. At  meridian  observed  in  latil'ide  31°  29'.  The 
land  being  in  sight,  stood  in  tor  the  B.iy  of  Todos  Santos, 
which  lies  in  the  parallel  of  31°  36'  north  latitude,  116° 
22'  we.^t  longitude.  At  5  i>.  m.  anchored  in  ti;n  fathoms 
water,  three  miles  from  the  shore. 

Janvari/  6.— Sent  the  boats  on  shore  to  look  for  the 
best  landing  place,  with  orders  to  proceed  with  great 
caution  ;  and  in  no  case  to  land  if  they  saw  any  aj)pear- 
ance  of  treachery  arnoni  the  Indians.  The  boats  pro- 
ceeded and  found  it  diffir^ult  to  land,  the  water  being 
shoal  at  a  great  distance  from  the  beach,  and  the  breakers 
reaching  at  least  half  a  mile  outbido  -,  although  they 
were  not  high,  yet  oftentimes  they  woitld  capsize  the 
boats.  The  men  howcvor  tstiocted  a  landing,  to  the 
great  surprise  of  the  Indians  and  Spaniards  who  were 
there,  and  who  pointed  out  a  landing  place  farther  to 
the  westward,  of  much  greater  security.  The  object  of 
our  visit  was  made  known  to  them,  and  several  went 
off  to  the  ship,  and  a  trade  was  soon  commenced  in 
barter  for  otter  skins.  It  is  usual  farther  north  when 
trading  with  the  Indians,  not  to  venture  on  shore 
unless  some  Indians  are  on  board  as  hostages,  but  as 
here  the  natives  had  intercourse  with  Spaniards,  they 
were  neither  as  savage  or  treacherous  as  the  north-west 
Indians.  Yet  it  was  necessary  even  here,  to  keep  a 
rigid  look-out,  especially  as  they  would  steal  every  thing 
they  could  lay  their  hands  on ;  and  when  ashore  it  was 


'^^''■'^i^jaitfemijei 


,~JtfW' 


a  although  we 
wimU,  yot  we 
parallel  of  20° 

p  and  cloudy 
our  light  Hails. 
»n  the  Spanish 
and  fair  winds, 
II  to  experience 
te  a  novelty, 
e  preceding,  wo 
or  to  the  north- 
tfaio'iy.     The 
)f  Todos  Santos, 
th  latitude,  116° 
d  in  ten  fathoms 

I  to  look  for  the 
ceed  with  great 
saw  any  appear- 
The  boats  pro- 
the  water  being 
and  the  breakers 
;  although  they 
luld  capsize  the 
landing,  to  the 
iaids  who  were 
place  farther  to 
The  obiect  of 
ind  several  went 
commenced  in 
.ler  north  when 
[nture   on  shore 
hostages,  but  as 
Spaniards,  they 
I  the  north-west 
here,  to  keep  a 
steal  every  thing 
lea  ashore  it  was 


UrC   ON  THE   OCIANt 


117 


neetitflfjr  for  us  to  keep  within  sight  of  the  boats,  or  we 
Nhould  run  tho  hazard  of  being  stripped  and  robbed  o( 
all  our  clothing.  VV^o  had  not  been  there  many  days 
before  this  inisembie  propuisity  was  carried  out,  by  u 
party  of  the  Indiana  stripping  and  robbing  two  of  the 
men  who  had  strayed  a  little  distance  fruin  the  boat. 
To  prevent  any  further  acts  of  this  kind  when  our  boats 
went  on  shore  we  detained  some  half  dozen  of  the 
Indians  on  board  as  hostages. 

During  the  thirty-lbur  days  we  remained  in  this  place, 
the  Indians  collected  together  all  the  skins  far  and  uear, 
'  and  wo  succeeded  in  bartering  away  nearly  all  the  re- 
maining articles,  and  received  on  board,  in  exchange, 
seventeen  hundred  otter  skins.  Although  wo  were  not 
harrassed  by  the  fear  of  Spiuiish  cruisers,  neither  were 
we  in  danger  of  being  cut  off  by  the  Indians  when  on 
shore,  because  many  of  them  were  detained  as  hostages 
on  board,  yot  those  engaged  in  the  boats  were  in  con- 
stant alarm,  on  account  of  the  surf;  it  requiring  all  the 
skill,  management  and  fearlessnu^r  of  the  crews  to  per- 
form this  service  without  loss  of  life  and  property.  Here 
we  filled  up  the  water-casks,  replenished  the  stock  of 
bullocks,  and  obtained  a  quantity  of  cocoa,  chocolate, 
yams,  and  fruit. 

FBbruanj  6. — Our  cargo  was  now  all  disposed  of,  witti 
the  exception  of  the  muslin,  some  hardware,  and  t<vo 
bales  of  blankets.  We  had  in  its  place,  six  hundred 
and  fifty  thousand  Spanish  dollars,  lorty  thousand  dol- 
lars value  in  old  plate,  ten  thousand  in  platina  and 
pearls,  three  thousand  and  two  hundred  seal  skins,  and 
seventeen  hundred  otter  skins.  Now  that  the  whole  of 
our  operations  were  closed  on  this  coast,  the  next  day 
we  were  to  sail  for  China. 

FBbruary  7. — The  day  arrived,  and  it  was  a  day  of 
jubilee  to  all  hands.  I  shall  never  forget  the  shrill  voice 
of  the  boatswain  as  he  that  morning  piped  ''all  hands  up 
anchor,  a-hoy  P'  neither  shall  I  forget  the  merry  tones  of 
the  drum  and  fife  while  we  were  running  around  the 
capstan,  heaving  the  anchor  to  the  bows.  In  fifteen 
11 


*••**'■/*»■,  M<k»A.J«*^r-«««  I- 


118 


LIFE  ON   THE   OCKAN. 


minutes  the  ship  was  under  royals,  her  head  canted  to 
port,  standing  out  of  the  bay  of  Todos  Santos.  Three 
cheers  were  given  by  the  crew,  the  main-brace  was 
spliced,  the  watches  set,  and  at  meridian  the  land  had 
sunk  beneath  the  horison  in  the  distanca,  and  the  ship 
was  running  off  to  the  southward  with  a  strong  breeze 
ftom  the  northward. 

The  gloom  which  had  so  universally  pervaded  the 
ship's  company  had  now  entirely  disappeared,  owing 
partly  to  the  circumstance  that  our  future  operations 
would  be  legal,  but  mostly  to  the  fact  that  every  day 
would  bring  us  nearer  to  the  land  of  our  nativity.  It 
was  curious  to  behold  the  crew  in  the  dog-watch  on 
that  night.  Every  countenance  was  lighted  up  with 
intense  joy ;  mirth  and  merriment  prevailed,  while  the 
extra  allowance  of  grog  was  drunk  to  sweethearts  and 
wives.  The  more  calculating,  who  had  disposed  of 
ttieir  adventures,  were  summing  up  the  whole  amount 
of  their  gains  when  the  cruise  should  be  up.  There 
were  a  large  number  of  this  latter  class,  but  a  much 
greater  part  of  the  crew  had  no  other  dependance  than 
their  wages,  and  a  pretty  round  sum  out  of  this  woiild 
be  deducted  for  clothing,  which  they  had  neglected  to 
provide  themselves  with  before  leaving  Boston.  My  old 
messmate.  Jack  Sawyer,  preserved  his  equanimity,  and 
took  advantage  of  every  favorable  opportunity  in  our 
watch  below  to  learn  to  read,  in  which  he  made  very 
feir  progress.  In  turn,  his  embracing  every  opportunity 
to  teach  me  seamanship,  and  making  me  his  constant 
companion  at  every  job  of  work  going  on,  was  of  sig- 
.  nal  service  to  me. 

On  this  occasion,  while  most  of  the  crew  were  push- 
ing round  the  flowing  can,  Jack  seated  himseU  on  a 
chest  by  my  side.  "Now,  youngster,"  said  he,  "you  and 
I  have  got  clear  with  whole  carcasses  from  them  cut- 
throat Spaniards,  and  I've  been  thinking  that  it's  much 
better  to  sail  in  a  feir  trade  above  board,  than  to  be  dodg- 
ing in  and  out,  and  afiraid  of  every  craft  that  we  fell  m 
wfth,  just  for  the  sake  of  a  few  dollars ;  why,"  continoed 


t^mtm.m 


WFi!iiim~<i|IWi)lipi 


head  canted  to 
Santos.  Three 
main-brace  was 
m  the  land  had 
,C9,  and  the  ship 
I  a  strong  breeze 

lly  pervaded  the 
sappeared,  owing 
future  operations 
!t  that  every  day 
our  nativity.    It 
he  dog-watch  on 
lighted  up  with 
I  vailed,  while  the 
»  sweethearts  and 
had   disposed  of 
;he  whole  amount 
d  be  up.    There 
lass,  but  a  much 
dependance  than 
out  of  this  would 
had  neglected  to 
J  Boston.    My  old 
s  equanimity,  and 
pportunity  in  our 
ch  he  made  very 
very  opportunity 
;  me  his  constant 
ig  on,  was  of  sig- 

e  crew  were  push- 
ated  himself  on  a 
said  he,  "you  and 
es  from  them  cut- 
ing  that  it's  much 
J,  than  to  be  dod^- 
:aft  that  we  fell  m 
;  why,"  continued 


UPE   ON  THE   OCEAN. 


he,  "since  I've  heard  you  read  that  book,  I've  a  notion 
that  a  clean  set  of  papers  and  a  fiur  log  will  be  much 
better  when  all  hands  are  piped  at  the  last  day  to  show 
their  reckoning,  than  all  the  kelt  we've  got  on  board." 

"That's  very  true.  Jack,"  said  I,  "for  all  the  money  in 
the  universe  will  not  prolong  a  man's  life  one  day,  nei- 
ther will  it  give  him  a  regular  set  of  papers  for  his  admis- 
sion into  the  broad  bay  of  heaven." 

"'that's  just  what  I've  been  thinking,"  said  Jack, 
"and  as  we've  got  on  that  tack,  youngster,  I  should  like 
to  know  how  a  poor  sailor,  whom  nobody  cares  for 
when  he's  on  shore,  but  just  to  get  his  whack  out  of 
him — I  say,  I  should  like  to  know  how  he's  to  keep  clear 
of  these  land-sharks  and  fire-ships  and  steer  on  the 
same  tack  that  we  are  now." 

"Why  J?'  said  I,  "Jack,  if  we  live  to  get  home,  if  you 
will  follow  my  advice  I'll  put  you  in  the  way ;  but 
first  you  must  sheer  clear  of  swearing  rocks  and  grog 
harbour  while  you  are  on  board  of  this  ship,  and 
then  it  will  be  much  easier  for  you  to  weather  Cape 
Frolic  when  you  get  on  shore.  But,  Jack,  we've  a 
long  distance  to  run  before  we  get  to  Canton,  although 
as  1  hear  we  shall  touch  at  the  Sandwich  Islands  for  e 
few  days,  and  the  probabilit\r  is,  that  we  will  have  an 
uninterrupted  series  of  good  weather  all  the  passage.  I 
shall  therefore  hold  you  to  the  promise  you  gave  me, 
about  the  history  of  your  old  mother  and  yourself." 

"With  all  ray  heart,"  said  Jack,  shifting  the  quid  to 
the  lee  side  of  hi.-;;  cheek,  and  slapping  me  on  the 
shoulder  with  his  large  brawny  hand,  which  for  weight 
was  not  unlike  a  sledge-hammer,  "that  I  will  youn^ter, 
and  as  it  is  our  first  watch  on  deck  to-morrow  night, 
I'll  begin  that  yarn  for  you  when  we  get  in  the  top." 
Eight  bells  were  now  struck,  the  larboard  watch, was 
called,  who  still  lingered  about  the  forecastle,  unwilling 
to  leave  their  cups  and  merriment,  until  one  b^  was 
struck,'  when  the  melodious  voice  of  the  boatswain's 
mate  sung  out  ^'douse  the  ^m,  below !"  and  "larbow- 
lines  aU  ou  deck,  a-hoy."    This  order  was  immecUately 


fill 

IP 
m 


...i»-i<,i'i.i\'«j.i)ia*»»*- 


wm 


^""""'in 


Si 

1  p'- 


1^20 


LIFE   ON  THE   OCKAN. 


obeyed,  the  larboard  watch  went  on  deck,  the  starboard 
watch  turned  in,  the  lights  were  all  put  out,  and  I  soon 
fell  into  a  deep*  slumber  and  pleasing  dreams  of  my 
native  land,  until  I  was  aroused  by  three  heavy  sounds 
made  with  the  forescuttle  hatch ;  the  shrill  whistle  of 
the  boatswain's  mate  and  the  hoarse  cry  of ''starbowlines 
on  deck,  a-hoy !"  The  watch  was  soon  relieved  and 
the  topmen  took  their  stations.  The  ship  was  ninning 
along  with  a  stiff  top-gallant  breeze,  the  wind  being  a- 
beam. 

_  Our  situation  in  the  tops  was  not  quite  as  pleasant  as 
when  running  down  the  coast  of  Peru ;  but  as  we  were 
running  to  the  southward,  to  take  the  strength  of  the 
trade  winds,  when  in  the  parallel  of  the  Sandwich 
Islands,  of  course  we  expected  steady  winds  and  good 
weather. 

February  8. — This  day  was  ushered  in  with  strong 
breezes  from  the  northward,  and  dark  cloudy  weather. 
As  we  did  not  expect  to  have  any  more  use  for  our  guns 
at  present,  they  were  housed  and  secured,  the  anchors 
were  stowed,  the  cables  unbent  and  coiled  away,  and 
t  he/Usual  routine  of  duty ,  such  as  knotting  yarns,  making 
rope,  repairing  sails,  &c.  was  carried  on. 

The  last  two  months,  there  was  a  scarcity  of  tobacco 
on  board,  the  stock  which  had  been  laid  in  by  the  cap- 
tain had  run  out.  Many  of  the  seamen  having  used  up 
their  last  morsel,  and  then  resorted  to  the  expedient  of 
buying  up  old  soldiers ;  others  giving  five  dollars  for  a 
plug  of  tobacco  which  would  cost  about  six  and  a 
quarter  cents  in  the  United  States.  I  have  seen  an  old 
sailor  overhaul  his  chest  three  times  in  the  course  of 
One  day  in  search  of  tobacco.  At  length  the  wants  of 
the  men  for  the  precious  weed  became  so  great,  diat 
if  one  was  known  to  have  any  in  his  possession,  he 
was  sure  to  be  relieved  of  it  in  some  way.  Many  com- 
plaints were  made  to  the  captain  for  redress,  when  the 
Mowing  expedient  settled  the  whole  matter.  Captain 
W.  requested  every  man  who  had  tobacco  in  his  pos- 
session to  bring  it  aft,  and  in  the  presence  of  the  whole 


!  'illBISliiJBiWBlit*'  'i,.'*!'.'?''"''!^??.'t'-'W.'*B" 


'"^•mf^'- 


■vuunmtr^rnifm 


LIFK   ON  THE   OOBAN. 


181 


)ck,  the  starboard 
It  out,  and  I  soon 
g  dreams  of  my 
ree  heavy  sounds 
shrill  whistle  of 
Y  of  "starbowlines 
oon  relieved  and 
hip  was  running 
le  wind  being  a- 

ite  as  pleasant  as 
but  as  we  were 
strength  of  the 
f  the  Sandwich 
winds  and  good 

1  in  with  strong 
cloudy  weather. 
!  use  for  our  guns 
ired,  the  anchors 
K)iled  away,  and 
ng  yarns,  making 
ti. 

larcity  of  tobacco 
id  in  by  the  cap- 
1  having  used  up 
the  expedient  of 
five  dollars  for  a 
about  six  and  a 
lave  seen  an  old 
in  the  course  of 
th  the  wants  of 
3e  so  great,  that 
is  possession,  he 
ay.  Many  com- 
sdress,  when  the 
matter.  Captain 
acco  in  his  pos- 
nceof  the  whole 


crew  he  made  for  it  the  very  liberal  offer  of  three  doUfl*:; 
per  pound  which  was  accepted.    He  then  dealt  it  out 
at  the  same  rate,  in  equal  proportions  to  every  tobacco 
chev/er.    This  had  the  desired  effect  to  put  an  end  to 
all  ferther  strife.    Indeed  on  this,  as  well  as  on  many 
other  occasions  it  seemed  to  be  the  studi-ad  object  of 
Captain  W.  that  harmony  and  good  will  should  prevail, 
fore  and  aft  the  ship.  No  act  of  tyranny  was  ever  allowed, 
and  contempt  or  disobedience  of  orders  on  the  part  of 
any  of  the  crew,  did  not  meet  with  corporal  chastisement, 
but  a  punishment  in  such  a  way  that  the  offence  was 
never  afterwards  repeated.    I  recollect  that  a  passion  for 
^ming  was  contracted  among  the  crew,  and  indulged 
m  to  such  an  extent,  tliat  some  of  the  sailors  lost  all 
their  clothing,  8nd_  annoyed  the  watch  below  at  night 
with  their  cards,  a'fter  eight  bells  were  struck.    This 
soon  reached  the  ears  of  the  captain,  who  issued  a 
peremptory  order  to  desist  from  the  practice. 
.  The  passion,  however,  was  so  strong,  that  the  order 
had  not  ihe  desired  effect.    The  crew  were  then  all 
ordered  on  deck,  the  evils  of  gaming  expostulated  upon 
by  Caotain  W.  and  what  would  be  the  inevitable  result, 
discord,  quarrelling,  fighting,  &c.  "Now  men,"  said  he, 
"if  after  this,  I  find  you  still  persist  in  gaming,  I  shall 
not  only  stop  your  grog  for  the  voyage,  but  I  shall  keep 
all  hands  on  deck  until  I  am  satisfied  you  implicitly 
refrain  firom  this  unhappy  passion."    All  this  however 
did  not  put  an  end  to  gaming,  and  the  determination 
of  Captain  VV.  was  put  in  execution.    All  hands  were 
kept  on  deck,  and  the  grog  stopped.    In  a  few  days 
however,  the  more  resolute  part  of  the  crew  collected  all 
the  cards  together  and  delivered  them  to  Captain  W. . 
and  the  crew  promised  implicit  obedience,  if  he  would 
restore  to  us  our  watch  below,  grog,  &c.    This  was 
done,  and  here  the  matter  ended,  and  there  was 'no 
gaming  on  board  during  the  remainder  of  the  voyage. 
The  dog  watches  being  ended,  and  the  tops  relieved, 
Jack  Sawyer  and  myself  and  two  other  topmen  were 
soon   stowed  away  in  the  fore-top,  Jack  and  myself 
11» 


1. 


ag'MtirtXrtmtt; 


m 


"^""'fc 


122 


LIFE   ON  THE   OCEAN. 


took  our  Stations  on  the  weather  side,  while  the  other 
two  rolled  themselves  up  in  the  staysails  for  a  nap;  and 
Jack,  after  replenishing  his  nip  with  a  fresh  quid  of  the 
weed,  according  to  promise,  commenced  his  yam. 


^afug.i-iBmtin(iw><r>'Wi«iHBliSI'li>>lfi,|jJMJI^^ 


N. 


de,  while  the  other 
lails  for  a  nap;  and 
a  fresh  quid  of  the 
ced  his  yam. 


.iM'iikii»igiS'.WJ«iiyiiiw.'it«o<.iiiiiai'iii'- 


CHAPTER  XI. 

JACK     »AWrER»8     HABRATIVE     OOMMENCBD-ABHITAl,     AT    THE 
SAHDWICH    ISLANDS— DESORIPTIOR   OF  OWTHEB,  &C. 

"As  near  as  I  can  work  it  out,  I  am  now  about  forty 
years  old.  I  was  bom  in  Marbiehead,  my  parents -were 
poor,  my  father  followed  fishing,  and  my  mother  took 
care  of  the  house  and  the  children,  as  there  were  three 
ot  us,  and  someUmes  took  in  work  to  help  my  fether  to 
support  us  and  give  us  a  bit  of  schooling.  I  didu't  aet 
much  of  It,  and  what  I  did  get  I  soon  forgot.  Matters 
went  on  pretty  snuely  this  way  until  I  was  about  eight 
Khli'  I  fT  fether  then  took  me  out  on  a  cmise 
ot  nstung.    I  followed  this  business  two  years,  and  then 

tZ  SJiHr?  f  "!k  '""^  ^^^^^^  up.  I  can  just  rocoUect 
the  great  talk  there  was  about  tlie  revolution,  and  the 
rebels,  and  It  was  not  long  after  this,  before  my  fether 
went  m  a  cmiser  fitted  out  by  the  colonies,  and  lost  his 
me  m  an  engagement  with  an  English  sloop-of-war. 
0.d  mother  was  now  left  alone  in  the  world,  with  three 
of  us  towmg  astern.  After  this,  she  had  to  pull  against 
wind  and  tide,  and  as  I  told  you  before,  youngsSTshe 
would  often  read  that  book  ind  give  nl  goal  SvS 

oW^  and  then  I  thought  I  was  big  enough  to  get  my 
own  hving,  so  I  told  mother  I  would  go  tJ^ost^.  ^d 

fn* !  7^"^'  ^i  l^r^y'  »"^  «  »°«o«  of  the  s^'e^r 
since  I  went  with  fether  a-fishing.    My  poor  old  mother 

eared  for  pooir  little  Jack,  and  that  I  was  too  youngto 

you'll  have  to  go  out  m  a  craiser  of  some  kind,  and  then 
mayhap  you  may  &U  in  with  a  king's  vessel,  and  sto 


»'*™^***'^'4Ai*uiii**ita« 


124 


LIFE   ON  THE   OCEAN. 


the  same  fate  as  your  poor  father.    And  then  she  could 
say  no  more. 

"'But,'  says  I,  'mother,  I  am  strong  enough  to  work, 
and  lend  a  hand  to  help  you  along,  for  many  times  we've 
not  enough  to  eat,  and  I  can't  stand  it,  to  see  you  giving 
up  all  the  food,  and  working  for  us     No.  no!  that  I 


can't ' 


"  'God  bless  you,  my  poor  boy,'  said  old  mother,  and 
after  many  chats  like  this,  she  consented  that  I  should 
go  to  Boston.  Well,  all  my  duds  were  got  ready,  and  I 
tell  you  they  wouldn't  have  filled  a  very  large  chest. 
In  the  meanwhile  I  got  much  good  advice,  but  she  said 
most  about  keeping  the  orders  of  a  neat  little  Bible, 
which  she  gave  me,  and  said  'although  my  poor  boy  you 
can't  read  much,  yet  if  you  go  to  sea,  mayhap  you  may 
fall  in  with  some  shipmate  who  will  learn  you.'  Well — 
the  day  came  when  I  was  all  ready  to  make  a  start ;  my 
stock  was  snugly  packed  up,  old  mother  taking  care  to 
stow  away  the  little  Bible.  I  shall  never  forget  that 
time ;  I  had  my  bundle  on  my  back,  and  a  letter  in  my 
hand  to  an  uncle  in  Boston.  'God  bless  you,  my  boy, 
remember  your  mother's  advice,  and  if  God  spares  your 
life  to  get  back  from  sea,  come  home ;  any  way,  let  me 
hear  from  you  as  often  as  you  can.'  She  could  say  no 
more  for  crying,  and  I  just  remember  that  I  sobbed  out 
to  her  'I  will,  I  will,'  so  I  shut  my  eyes  and  startecl 
upon  a  half  run."  Here  the  narrator  seemed  as  if  he 
were  acting  the  same  scene  over  again. 

At  this  point  the  narration  was  broken  off,  by  an  order 
firom  the  officer  of  the  deck,  to  lake  in  studding-sails  and 
royals,  the  wind  having  freshened,  and  heavy  black 
clouds  were.rolling  up  from  the  northward.  This  duty 
being  performed,  eight  bells  were  struck  and  the  watch 
relieved. 

February  13, — ^During  the  preceding  five  days  the 
wind  was  variable  and  the  weather  squally.  Every 
advantage  was  taken  of  the  shifts,  to  get  within  the  fair 
limits  of  the  trade  winds.  Observed  t'.ts  day  at  noou 
in  latitude  25°  30'  north,  and  longitude  by  lunar  obser- 


i!rtife».UM>ii»Jiu..»j'»irimi. f  i-ti-|.iiiiniiTi . iniT-iiiaiinfhi<i  WHjitjjii^iiiirjiiijxjp^it iiiti^a;^^ 


wrvfy 


d  then  she  could 

enough  to  work, 

nany  times  we've 

to  see  you  giving 

No,  no  I  that  I 

1  old  mother,  and 
ited  that  I  should 
s  got  ready,  and  I 

very  large  chest, 
vice,  but  she  said 
neat  little  Bible, 
I  my  poor  boy  you 
mayhap  you  may 
irn  you.'  Well — 
make  a  start ;  my 
tier  taking  cure  to 
levor  forget  that 
md  a  letter  in  my 
3SS  you,  my  boy, 
f  God  spares  your 

any  way,  let  me 
She  could  say  no 
that  I  sobbed  out 
eyes  and  started 
r  seemed  as  if  he 

in  off,  by  an  order 
tudding-sails  and 
nd   heavy  black 
rard.    This  duty  , 
ck  and  the  watch 

g  five  days  the 
squally.  Every 
:et  within  the  fair 
f'.is  day  at  noou 
e  by  lunar  obser- 


■■inrt'fiii  i»  ■ 


««•■«• 


LIFE   ON   THE   OCEAN. 


195 


vation  was  133^°  west.  At  sunset  the  wind  hauled  to 
north-north-east,  with  clear  pleasant  fine  weather;  set 
studding-sails  alow  and  aloft,  with  every  yard  of  canvas 
that  could  be  spread  upon  the  ship  to  advantage. 

February  14. — The  trade  wind  increased  and  became 
steady  with  fine  clear  weather.  We  took  advantage  of 
this  to  overhaul  and  clean  the  between  decks  and  fore- 
castle throughout ;  and  it  was  remarkable  that  with  the 
exception  of  the  two  Avounded  men  and  the  carpenter, 
we  scarcely  ever  had  any  on  the  sick  list  off^  duty. 
This  no  doubt  was  principally  owing  to  the  great  pre- 
caution taken  to  provide  fresh  provisions  as  often  as  pos- 
sible, together  with  the  cleanliness  of  the  ship  and  crew. 
Thus  far  no  appearance  of  scurvy  was  indicated  and  the 
crew  were  generally  in  the  most  healthy  condition. 

tyrrunry  17. — Nothing  of  importance  transpired  for 
the  last  three  days  ;  the  wiiid  continued  steady  from  the 
north-east,  the  sea  smooth,  and  the  weather  fine.  The 
ship  was  new  making  about  three  and  a  half  degrees  of 
longitude  per  day,  and  we .  had  reached  the  parallel  of 
22^°  north  latitude,  our  longitude  by  lunar  being  140° 
west. 

February  18. — At  daylight  this  morning,  a  sail  was 
seen  on  the  larboard  beam,  but  at  so  great  a  distance 
that  we  conid  not  ascertain  her  character  from  the  mast- 
head with  the  glass.  She  appeared  to  be  standing  to 
the  westward,  but  we  soon  lost  sight  of  her. 

As  we  now  had  steady  winds  and  fine  weather  and  it 
was  our  first  watch  on  deck  to-night,  my  old  messmate 
promised  to  resume  his  narrative.  The  do^  watches 
were  spent  with  unusual  mirth  and  merriment;  all 
hands  were  piped  to  mischief,  the  forecastle  and  main 
deck  being  given  up  to  the  crew,  and  the  scenes  which 
followed  were  truly  ludicrous.  Two  hours  were  sp^nt 
in  this  way,  and  the  next  hour  four  or  five  different 
parties  of  the  crew  were  tripping  away  the  merry  dancfr. 
to  the  svi'eet  sdunds  of  our  ravishing  band.  The  utmost 
good  humour  and  harmony  prevail»l  throughout.  Sup- 
per being  over,  eight  bells  struck,  the  starboard  watch 


m 


m 


\V\\mmmvai^t 


HfPi 


186 


UPB   ON  THE   OCVAN. 


was  called  on  deck,  and  taking  their  several  stations, 
silence  soon  prevailed  throughout  the  ship,  she  running 
at  the  rate  of  seven  rniles  per  hour  under  a  clear  star- 
light night  and  a  rioudless  sky. 

After  we  had  got  snugly  fixed  in  the  fore-top,  Jack 
Sawyer  resumed  his  yarn,  as  follows : 

"To  make  a  long  story  short,  I  got  safe  to  Boston,  how, 
I  hardly  know,  but  I  believe  I  rode  part  of  the  way  in  a 
cart,  and  the  rest  of  it  I  took  my  land  tacks  aboard,  and 
trotted  along  on  shanks  mare.  I  soon  found  out  my 
uncle,  and  a  clever  old  soul  he  was,  for  he  took  me  to  his 
house,  and  told  me  to  stay  with  him  until  he  could  get 
me  a  berth.  Well,  this  was  soon  done,  for  in  three  days 
M  told  me  he  I-ad  got  a  berth  for  me  on  board  the 
H— — ,  mounting  sixteen  guns  and  carrying  one  hun- 
dred and  twenty  men ;  that  1  was  to  go  in  the  ward- 
room to  wait  upon  the  officers.  The  craft  was  soon 
ready  for  sea,  and  my  old  uncle,  God  bless  him,  rigged 
me  out  with  a  chest  of  clothes  for  the  cruise. 

"Well,  I  recollect  we  sailed  sometime  in  March,  be- 
cause it  was  cold  and  squally  weather ;  and  before  we 
got  clear  of  the  bay  we  had  well  nigh  lost  the  craft  in  a 
north-easter  on  the  Cape.  We  had  not  been  out  many 
days,  before  I  overheard  them  talking  in  the  wardrooni, 
that  we  were  gcfi^^  to  the  southward  to  cut  off  the 
English  West  Indiamen.  It  was  a  cut  off  to  be  sure 
for  the  next  day  we  fell  in  with  an  English  frigate  on 
our  weather-beam ;  and  after  a  chase  of  five  hours  she 
overhauled  and  took  us,  and  we  were  just  clapped  on 
board  of  her,  like  so  many  dogs  they  swearing  that  they 
would  hang  us  all  up  at  the  yard-arm,  for  being  found  in 
arms  against  the  king.  Here  was  the  beginning  of  my 
troubles :  our  crew  were  treated  worse  than  brutes,  I 
came  off  a  little  better,  I  suppose  because  I  was  a  young- 
ster.   A  few  days  after  this,  we  fell  in  with  the  Englirfi 

fngate  S ,  they  put  me  on  board  of  her  with  fifl»en 

of  our  men,  who  had  entered  into  the  Endish  service 
This  frigate  was  bound  to  the  West  Indies  to  join  as 
convoy  the  homeward  bound  West  India  fleet 


aagBMMa9i«WiltiVii*<iiJ<rA>Ba«!iJill 


Tmwrwii-  1.. 


N. 

ir  several  stations, 

>  ship,  she  running 

under  a  clear  star- 

I  the  fore-top,  Jack 

afo  to  Boston,  how, 
art  of  the  way  in  a 

tacks  aboard,  and 
)on  found  out  my 
r  he  took  me  to  his 

until  he  could  get 
16,  for  in  three  days 

nie  on  board  the 
carrying  one  hun- 

0  go  in  the  ward- 
he  craft  was  soon 

bless  him,  rigged 

cruise. 

time  in  March,  be- 
ler ;  and  before  we 

1  lost  the  crafl  in  a 
lot  been  out  many 

in  the  wardroom, 
ird  to  cut  off  the 
cut  off  to  be  sure, 
English  frigatfl  on 
3  of  five  hours  she 
re  just  clapped  on 
swearing  that  thoy 
,  for  being  found  in 
e  beginnmgof  my 
rse  than  brutes,  I 
use  I  was  a  youug- 
i  with  the  English 
of  her  with  fifteen 
e  En^ish  service. 
t  Indies  to  join  as 
idia  fleet 


9fi0MIIIHfl(KSSmmmil^^ 


mmmmmmm 


>,iiiiwiBij«riwiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiliiHiii>ili"* " 


UrB   ON  THE   OCBAN. 


187 


"I  was  entered  on  the  frigate's  books  without  leave  or 
license,  and  soon  found  out  by  the  gruff  usage,  that  I 
had  to  mind  my  p's  and  q's.  Well,  we  got  to  Jamaica, 
and  the  fleet  was  ready  for  sea ;  so  after  watering  and 
provisioning  the  frigate,  we  got  under  way,  the  convoy 
consisting  of  a  seventy-four,  our  frigate  and  a  sloop-of- 
war,  and  stood  to  sea  with  a  fine  breeze.  Nothing  tran- 
spired until  wo  got  clear  of  the  passages,  and  then  you 
would  have  laughed  to  see  how  the  yankee  privateers 
and  cruisers  picked  out  the  ships  from  the  fleet.  One 
morning  aAer  a  dark  and  squally  night,  seven  large 
Jamaica-men  were  amorfg  the  missing.  I  shall  never 
forget  how  the  skipper  of  our  frigate  swore,  and  cursed 
the  yankee  rebels,  because  they  would  not  show  him 
mr  fight  in  the  day  time.  Afler  we  had  been  out  about 
fifteen  days,  one  morning  we  gave  chase  to  a  strange 
sail  to  windward  of  the  fleet.  I  heard  a  good  deal  of 
bragging  about  catching  the  sail,  for  they  said  the  fii- 
gate  was  the  greatest  heeler  in  the  service.  Well,  we 
chased  her  six  hours,  and  we  didn't  gain  on  her  an 
inch,  so  we  joined  the  fleet  again  that  night,  and  the 
next  morning  one  of  the  largest  Jamaica-men  was  off, 
and  by  the  time  we  got  into  Portsmouth,  eleven  sail  of 
the  fleet  were  missing. 

"After  we  got  to  England,  I  was  turned  over  to  the 

W >  seventy-four,  which  was  under  sailing  orders 

to  join  the  fleet  of  Admiral  J.  When  on  board  this 
ship  I  mixed  with  the  sailors,  and  soon  larnt  all  the 
tricks  of  a  man-of-war's-man.  Two  years  soon  went 
off  and  I  got  to  like  a  'man-of-war,'  although  poor  oW 
mother  would  sometimes  come  across  my  mind,  and 
then  I  hove  a  sigh  or  two,  and  thought  I  would  like  to 
be  at  home  again.  But  these  thoughts  soon  wore  off 
for  I  tell  you  that  a  man-of-war  is  no  place  for  whining."' 

Here  the  thread  of  Jack's  yarn  was  cut  short  by-lhe 
helmsman  singing  out  "eight  bells."  The  watch  "wm 
relieved,  and  I  soon  lost  all  recollection  of  Jack  and  hi^ 
narrative  by  falling  into  a  deep  sleep. 

Fhbrua'y  19.— This  day  was  ushered  in  as  the  past 


ilii' 


.«.Mrt"M»..'.f..i,<.i,i-    ■  ■■  ''i  ■tj.„-||,'    ,■-_ 


LIFB  ON  THE   OCEiN. 

/ 

few  days  had  been  with  fine  breezes  and  pleasant 
weather.  Lunar  observations  were  taken,  and  a  course 
shaped  to  make  the  island  of  Owyhee,  and  as  we  were 
now  drawing  near  to  the  Sandwich  Islands,  we  saw  a 
number  of  aquatic  birds,  such  as  hover  about  the  land, 
bein^  generally  a  surf!  indication  of  its  vicinity.  We 
anticipated  much  gratification  while  there,  because  of 
the  abundance  of  the  fruit  and  vegetables  which  in 
those  days  could  be  purchased  for  a  mere  trifle  ;  and  we 
also  anticipated  much  pleasure  in  our  intercourse  with 
the  natives  on  account  of  the  peculiar  gentleness  and 
docility  of  their  character,  of  which  I  had  heard  nuich 
from  some  of  the  crew  who  had  visited  the  islands  on 
their  former  voyages. 

February  20. — As  usual  in  along  course  of  fair  winds 
and  fine  weather,  nothing  occurred  to  interrupt  the 
monot(>uy,  except  the  excitement  produced  by  the  an- 
ticipation of  our  visit  to  the  islands,  which  served  as  a 
general  topic  of  conversation  in  the  forecastle.  My 
messmate.  Jack  Sawyer,  made  rapid  progress  in  learning 
to  read  •,  every  opportunity  was  embraced  by  him  in  his 
watch  below  to  effect  this  result,  which  appeared  to  be 
the  height  of  his  ambition.  Indeed  the  forecastle  was 
more  like  a  school  than  any  thing  else ;  the  elementary 
branches  of  education  were  taught,  as  well  as  the 
sciences  of  navigation  and  mathematics,  by  our  young 
Mhinmate,  VVm.  Harris,  who,  as  before  stated,  was  an 
under  graduate  of  Harvard  University.  It  was  a  com- 
mon circumstance  to  see  at  meridian,  in  a  clear  day, 
from  twenty  to  thirty  of  the  crew,  with  their  quadrants, 
measuring  the  altitude  of  the  sun,  to  determine  the 
ship's  latitude,  and  w^e  knew  th6  position  of  the  ship  in 
the  forecTiStle  by  our  reckoning  and  lunar  observations, 
as  precisely  as  the  officers  in  the  cabin. 

February  21. — The  trade  winds  had  become  lighteri 
and  the  weatlier  was  unusually  warm.  It  was  rumored 
in  the  forecastle  that  we  were  to  celebrate  on  the  mor' 
row  the  birth  day  of  Washington,  the  father  of  our 
country.    I  knew  not  how  it  was  to  be  celebrated,  ex- 


iWlWiiWMMWMIJi' 


MMin'-' 


ezes  and  pleasant 
aken,  and  a  course 
e,  and  as  we  were 
Islands,  we  saw  a 
ror  about  the  land, 
■  its  vicinity.  We 
'  there,  because  of 
getables  which  in 
nere  trifle  ;  and  we 
ir  intercourse  with 
ar  gentleness  and 
I  had  heard  nuich 
ted  the  islands  on 

ourse  of  fair  winds 

1  to  interrupt  the 

oduced  by  tne  an- 

which  served  as  a 

le  forecastle.    My 

progress  in  learning 

aced  by  him  in  his 

lich  appeared  to  be 

the  forecastle  was 

le  -,  the  eienieutary 

as  well  as   the 

ics,  by  our  young 

ire  stated,  was  an 

It  was  a  com- 

n,  in  a  clear  day, 

th  their  quadrants, 

to  determine  the 

tion  of  the  ship  in 

unar  observations, 

a. 

id  become  lightert 
It  was  rumored 
)rate  on  the  mor- 
le  father  of  our 
)e  celebrated,  ex- 


■MMK 


LIFE   ON  TUB   OOBAN.  ||i 

cept  with  an  extra  allowance  of  grog  and  a  fresh  mess, 
the  most  acceptable  treat  with  whicli  the  crew  could  be 
regaled.  As  to  the  fresh  mess,  that  was  entirely  out  of 
the  question,  fur  all  our  fresh  stock  consisted  of  three 
terrapins,  the  remains  of  the  Gallipagos  Islands,  and  a 
few  fowls ;  the  bullocks  which  we  obtained  at  the  Bay 
of  Todus  Santos  having  been  killed  and  salted. 

The  day  of  jubilee,  February  22,  however,  arrived. 
The  sun  rose,  and  not  a  cloud  obscured  its  disk  in 
ascending  from  beneath  a  perfectly  well-defined  hori- 
zon ;  the  wind  was  fresh  and  the  sea  smooth.  -\nd  the 
ship  was  running  majestically  over  the  waves  \  mder  a 
press  of  canvas,  yet  so  steady  thct .  her  motion  could 
scarcely  be  felt  on  deck.  The  scene  was  in  perfect 
harmony  with  the  feelings  that  universally  prevailed 
throughout  the  ship's  company.  The  usual  and  cus- 
tomary morning  duties  were  performed,  such  as  hauling 
home  the  sheets,  swaying  up  the  yards  taut,  washing 
down  decks,  &>c.  At  S  a.  m.  tha  stars  and  stripes  were 
run  up  at  the  peak,  and  a  salute  of  twenty-one  guns 
were  nred,  no  other  duty  but  that  which  was  necessary, 
such  as  trimming  sails,  6cc.  was  carried  on ;  an  extra 
allowance  of  grog  was  served  out,  but  instead  of  the 
fresh  mess  we  had  a  pudding,  or,  as  a  sailor  would  say, 
duff",  which  was  made  by  mixing  the  flour  and  a  portion 
of  fat  take^from  the  slush  barrel  until  it  was  or  a  pro- 

§9r  consistency,  and  then  poured  into  a  bag  and  boiled. 
Oiuetimes  this  delightful  mess,  after  being  cooked,  is 
so  intolerably  hard  that  it  almost  might  be  thrown  over 
the  fore-yard  and  not  break  to  pieces  in  its  fall ;  notwith- 
standing this,  it  is  a  very  grateful  dish  to  a  sailor  who 
has  been  a  long  time  at  sea,  especialh'  when  it  is  eaten 
with  molasses.  The  day  passed  off  with  great  good 
humour,  and  closed  with  a  ball  on  the  main  deck  and 
forecastle.  We  were  now  rapidly  approaching  the  island 
of  Owyhee,  and  expected,  from  our  lunar  ubservatioas, 
to  see  the  high  land  at  daylight  in  the  morning. 

February  23. — ^At  day  dawn  the  wind  became  light, 
and  when  broad  daylight  was  ushered  in,  our  expecta- 
12 


iimiii  HiiiwiKiiw 


.ita 


Lire   ON   THE   OOKAN. 


^, 


tions  wero  realized  by  the  welcome  sound  of  "laud  hoi" 
from  the  mast-hoad,  which,  at  firat,  upi)ourod  iikf  u  dark 
spiial  cloud  rising  from  tho  horizon.  The  r(  mputed 
distance  from  tho  island  was  at  this  time  one  hundred 
miles,  which  seems  scarcely  credible,  yet  it  is  nevertheless 
true ;  for  tho  high  mountain  of  Owyhee  is  elevated  more 
than  one  thousand  feet  higher  than  tho  jmak  of  Tene- 
rifie.  Wc  ran  all  that  dov  and  night  until  2  a.  m.  Hove 
to  uutil  6  A.  M.  On  tho  24th  made  all  soil,  the  wind  being 
light  till  meridian,  when  a  fresh  breeze  sprung  up,  which 
obliged  us  to  Uiko  in  all  our  light  uailM.  On  approach- 
ing tho  island,  a  number  of  canoes  wore  seen  in  shore 
of  us,  and  although  the  ship  was  running  at  the  rate  of 
ten  knots,  yet  the  canoes  kept  way  with  us.  Every 
preparation  was  made  to  bring  the  ship  to  an  anchor. 
Capt.  W.  beiuR  well  acquainted  with  the  landings,  sto«)d 
boldly  in  to  Karakakooa  Day,  and  anchored  in  fifteen 
fathoms  water,  about  a  mile  from  the  landing  place. 
At  3  p.  M.  we  were  visited  by  tho  king,  Tamaaruaooa, 
who  camo  off  escorted  by  six  war  canoes,  which  were 
lightly  constructed,  yet  they  wero  of  great  beauty,  and 
as  regards  speed,  nothing  that  Uoats  of  the  same  length 
can  excel  them.  liach  of  the  canoes  had  an  outrigger 
which  is  token  up  or  let  down  at  pleasure  to  prevent 
capsizing  in  sudden  flaws  of  wind. 

With  the  exception  of  the  king  and  two  4jf  the  prin- 
cipal chiefs,  the  natives  were  almost  in  a  state  of  nature 
as  regards  clothing,  having  nothing  about  them  except 
what  they  termed  o  "/o/u/wj."  which  is  a  piece  of  cl.>iii 
made  of  grass  thrown  around  their  loins.  The  king 
arid  two  chiefs,  however,  in  addition  to  this  species  of 
dress,  had  a  piece  of  red  broadcloth,  (no  doubt  puichn^ed 
from  a  ship  that  had  touched  here,)  which  hung  lu  s(>ly 
over  the  back,  forming  a  kind  of  mantle,  and  seen  td  in 
the  front  with  a  gaudy  ribbon,  topped  off  \nih  some 
feathers  sewn  together  to  form  a  head-dress.  These 
chiefe  were  received  in  the  most  polite  manner  by  Capt 
W.,  and  in  return  they  gave  us  a  hearty  welcome,  and 
promised  to  afford  every  &cilityin  procuring  renresh- 


unwiln 


MMMMStiMi 


)Undof«'laud  hoi" 
ppearod  iikr-  u  dark 
J.    The  ft  in|)uted 
lime  one  hiindreJ 
rot  it  is  nevertheless 
06  is  elevated  more 
the  ))eak  of  Teno- 
unlil  2  A.  M.   Hove 
Boiljtho  wind  being 
e  sprung  up,  which 
uls.    On  approach- 
vero  seen  in  shore 
ining  at  the  rate  of 
(  with  us.     Every 
ship  to  an  anchor. 
I  the  landings,  stood 
anchored  in  fiJleiin 
the  landing  place. 
ting,  Tamaamaooa, 
canoes,  Avhich  were 
f  great  beauty,  and 
of  the  same  length 
!S  had  an  outrigger 
pleasure  to  prevent 

nd  two  4jf  the  prin- 
in  a  state  of  nature 
about  them  except 
is  a  piece  of  cloiii 
loins.  The  king 
to  this  species  of 
no  doubt  pui-ch;t?ed 
which  hung  If  ^(4y 
ntle,  and  secured  in 
>ped  off  with  some 
lead-dress.  These 
te  manner  by  Gapt 
ioarty  welcome,  and 
procuring  renesh- 


LirS   ON  THR   OCEAN. 


lai 


meats,  the  principal  object  of  our  visit  to  the  island. 
After  a  stay  of  about  an  hour,  during  which  they  were 
treated  with  groat  kindness,  Capt.  VV.  gave  thorn  many 
presents,  at  which  they  expressed  much  satisfiiction  and 
then  took  their  leave. 

fiebruari/  25. — At  daylight,  many  canoes  came  off 
filled  with  the  natives  both  male  and  fet.iale,  bringing 
with  them  almost  all  kinds  of  tropical  ffuits,  together 
with  yams,  tnrra-rool,  a  good  stibstitute  for  potatoes ; 
also  ffeeso,  fowls  and  hogs,  which  are  abundant  in  these 
itilands.  The  only  point  of  difference  in  the  dress  of 
the  females,  was  that  the  colour  of  the  cloth  worn  around 
the  loins  was  more  gaudy.  Indeed  they  were  almost  in 
a  complete  suite  of  nature.  The  males  were  in  general 
small  in  stature  and  slightly  formed.  The  females 
were  finely  proportioned,  tneir  forms  symmetrical,  their 
countenances  pleasing,  with  features  corresponding  more 
to  the  European  stamp  than  the  Indians  ot  either  North 
or  South  America.  We  found  them  perfectly  harmless,' 
and  exceedingly  gentle  and  docile  in  their  disposition, 
and  all  eager  to  trade,  although  they  neither  cared  for 
or  understood  the  value  of  money.  Cutlery,  gaudy 
strips  of  cloth,  and  iron  hoops,  wenj  the  principal  articles 
they  wanted  in  barter  for  their  fruits,  hogs,  6cc.  I  have 
seen  a  hog  weighing  one  b^^^dred  pounds  bartered  for 
a  piece  ot  iron  hoop  a  foot  in  length.  We  found  tropical 
firuits  of  every  description  in  abundance,  which  were 
purchased  for  a  mure  trifle,  and  which  proved  salutary 
to  the  crew  as  an  excellent  anti-scorbutic.  One  party 
was  sent  on  shore  to  procure  water  and  another  to  get 
wood;  this  duty  was  performed  with  but  little  difficulty, 
the  king  ordering  the  natives  to  fill  our  casks  and  roll 
them  down  to  the  beach.  They  cut  and  piled  la»e 
quantities  of  wood  near  to  the  landing,  consequently 
trie  wooding  and  watering  ""is  soon  completed.  I  made 
a  visit  to  the  burying  pla  ;e  of  Captain  Cook,  a  beautiAil 
sequestered  .^pot,  of  a  c.rcular  form,  suiirounded  with 
Iwnana,  and  cocoa-nut  trees,  the  grave  occuu3ring  the 
centre  of  the  circle.    The  natives  on  approaching  this 


t  V 


■tcMMMMMMliil'*' 


i 


I  III  III  miiaigiwttiniiii 


"J*'  (/m 


■■  ^J>W#^liliWB|^IHiU[     ri   v-jFWti'W=T»MM;t««iCTB||ypB|M| 


n»V» 


m^ 


Wi 


'    1i 


I; 


1 


132 


LTPE   ON  THE   OCEAN. 


place,  seemed  to  be  awed  into  a  profound  reverence ; 
and  as  two  of  our  men,  who  had  been  at  these  islands 
several  times,  spoke  the  language  of  the  islanders,  in 
conversation  with  them,  they  expressed  unfeigned  sor- 
row at  the  unfortunate  circumstance,  which  caused  the 
death  of  this  great  chief,  as  they  termed  him ;  they  also 
infomied  us  that  once  in  every  year  all  the  natives 
assembled  here  to  perform  a  religious  rite  in  memory  of 
his  lamentable  death. 

We  were  treated  with  the  greatest  hospitality  and 
kindness  during  our  stay.  Large  parties  of  the  crew 
were  often  sent  on  shore  to  exercise,  and  we  made 
frequent  excursions  to  the  interior  of  the  island,  falling 
in  with  a  number  of  small  villages,  the  residents  of 
which  always  treated  us  with  the  same  hospitality  and 
kindness,  as  those  did  bordering  on  the  sea  shore.  In 
one  of  those  excursions,  a  party  of  us  ascended  to  a 
considerable  height  on  the  mountain,  which  is  seen  at 
so  great  a  distance  seaward ;  and  on  the  top  of  which 
is  a  volcano  constantly  sending  forth  liquid  flames  and 
lava.  We  had  not  however  reached  half  its  summit, 
before  the  atmosphere, became  so  dense  and  the  air  so 
cold,  that  we  were  obliged  to  retrace  our  steps.  The 
islanders  have  a  tradition,  in  reference  to  this  mountain 
and  volcano,  and  Mi«ve/  that  a  superior  being  in- 
habit" .*V"  i^rater,  which  ainiougri  unseen,  they  wor- 
siifp  with  the  most  profound  adoration.  We  found  but 
one  white  man  (an  Englishman)  on  this  island;  he 
called  himself  by  name,  John  Young ;  and  it  was  said 
by  some  of  our  crew,  that  he  was  one  of  the  mutineers 
of  the  "Bounty,"  of  famous  memory,  who  had  escaped 
from  the  island  in  a  boat,  and  was  picked  up  by  a 
Vhaler,  which  brought  him  here.  He  informal  us  he 
had  been  on  the  island  three  years,  but  no  information 
could  be  obtained  from  him  further  than  that  he  had 
left  a  whaling  ship.  He  \<ras  a  man  cf  great  authority, 
next  in  power  and  rank  to  the  king,  ha>ing  ronderad 
essential  service  in  the  frequent  wars  he  incurred  tirith 
the  other  islands.    It  was  by  his  skill  and  courage  that 


mm 


mmmHiA 


i^" 


)found  reverence; 
in  at  these  islands 

the  islanders,  in 
ed  unfeigned  sor- 
which  caused  the 
3d  him  -,  they  also 
ir  all  the  natives 

rite  in  memory  of 

st  hospitality  and 
artios  of  the  crew 
se,  and  we  made 
the  island,  falling 
i,  the  residents  of 
me  hospitality  and 
the  sea  shore.    In 
f  us  ascended  to  a 
,  which  is  seen  at 
I  the  top  of  which 
I  liquid  flames  and 
d  half  its  summit, 
use  and  the  air  so 
;e  our  steps.    The 
e  to  this  mountain 
uperior  being  in- 
unseen,  they  wor- 
m.    We  found  but 
n  this  island;   he 
f ;.  and  it  was  said 
e  of  the  mutineens 
,  who  had  escaped 
s  picked  up  by  a 
le  informed  us  he 
>ut  no  information 
than  that  he  had 
of  great  authority, 
I,  having  rendered 
he  incurred  with 
and  courage  that 


iajjitwwwtir 


MMWMMHi 


mmmimKmsmmim-r'B^Ti^,-^'^ 


LIFE   ON  THE   OCEAN. 


133 


Tamaamaooa  subjugated  the  island  of  Mowee.  I  have 
before  stated  that  these  islanders  were  nearly  in  a  com- 
plete state  of  nudity,  but  I  have  rarely  seen  more  respect 
paid  to  the  laws  by  which  they  are  governed,  and  die 
maintenance  of  equal  rights  of  life,  property,  d&c,  than 
among  this  people. 

•As  yet  few  of  the  vices  of  civilized  life  were  prevalent; 
the  use  of  ardent  spirits  was  rare,  and  drunkenness  was 
considered  a  crime  and  punished  with  severity. 

The  worship  of  the  tnie  God  was  not  known  among 
them,  except  what  little  information  they  had  received 
from  John  Young,  which  at  the  best  was  exceedingly 
vague.  Many  moral  precepts  by  which  civilized  society 
are  regulated,  were  either  wholly  unknown  or  not  prac- 
tised; such  as  the  inviolability  of  conjugal  life,  few 
polygamy  was  universal  among  them.  Although  each 
one  had  a  plurality  of  wives,  yet  they  are  considered  as 
a  kind  of  property,  consequently  the  right  of  each  was 
universally  respected.  They  are  idolators  of  the  grossest 
kind,  wprshipping  a  variety  of  hideous  images,  wrought 
by  their  own  hands,  as  well  as  the  unknown  being, 
before  mentioned,  in  the  volcano.  With  all  these  un* 
pleasant  features  in  their  character,  they  were  neverthe-. 
less  kind  and  hospitable  in  the  extreme,  and  I  always 
felt  myself  perfectly  safe  when  on  shore,  although 
frequently  surrounded  by  thousands  of  them.  There 
are  perhaps  no  people  in  the  world  as  expert  at  swim- 
ming as  these  islanders.  Our  ship  was  anchored  at  least 
the  distance  of  one  mile  and  a  quarter  from  die  shore, 
and  it  was  as  common  for  the  females  as  well  as  the 
males  to  swim  off  to  the  ship  and  then  swim  on  shore 
again,  as  it  was  for  them  to  come  and  go  in  their 
canoes ;  although  the  waters  are  infested  with  shartotf 
which  by  the  way  they  did  not  appear  to  notice  more 
than  other  fish,  and  it  is  not  un&equeuUy  the  case,  that 
two.  of  these  islanders  will  attack  and  kill  a  shwkio 
the  water,  and  then  SMrim  on  shote  with  it  as  a  trophyv 

March  13. — We  had  now  been  here  seventeen  days ; 
the  crew  were  completely  lecruitM,  our  watering  aad 
12» 


iHlBiMiM^lilltilMftl]. 


/  fe 


134 


LIFE   ON  THE  OCEAN. 


wooding  were  finished,  and  we  procured  a  large  nutnber 
of  hogs,  but  were  obUged  to  take  them  away  alive,  not 
being  able  to  procure  salt  -,  and  indeed  if  we  could,  we 
should  not  have  been  able  to  cure  the  pork  in  this 
climate.    We  had  also  procured  a  large  quantity  of  fruit, 
as  well  as  the  tarra-root;    but  the  stock  of  yams  was 
small,  in  consequence  of  which  Captain  W.  was  deter- 
mined to  touch  at  another  of  the  islands  to  procure  them. 
The  entire  object  of  our  visit  to  this  island  being  now 
completed,  to  the  great  satisfaction  of  all  on  board,  and 
after  distributing  many  little  presents  among  the  natives, 
we  bid  them  a  long  adieu,  to  their  apparent  sorrow  and 
regret    At  10  a.  m.  we  weighed  anchor,  made  all  sail 
with  a  fine  breeze  from  the  north-east,  and  stood  away 
to  the  westward,  with  the  intention  of  touching  at  the 
island  of  Atooi. 

The  island  of  Owyhee,  or  Karakakooa  Bay,  lies  in  the 
parallel  of  19°  28'  north  and  155°  57'  west.  It  is  the 
most  easterly  of  the  group,  and  of  a  triangular  form, 
nearly  equilateral.  The  angular  points  constitute  the 
northern,  southern  and  eastern  extremities.  The  cir- 
cumference of  the  whole  island  is  said  to  be  256  geo- 
graphical, or  about  293  English  miles.  Its  breadth  is 
said  to  be  24  leagues,  and  its  greatest  length,  which  lies 
nearly  in  a  north  and  south  direction,  is  2Sj|r  leagues. 
The  country  rises  inland,  with  a  gradual  ascent,  and  is 
intersected  by  narrow  deep  glens,  or  rather  chasms.  It 
seemed  to  be  well  cultivated,  and  to  have  many  villages 
scattered  about  its  surface.  Owyhee  is  by  far  the  largest 
of  the  whole  group.  Formerly  all  these  islands  were 
governed  by  the  kings  of  Owyhee  and  Woahoo.  A  short 
time  previous,  to  our  arrival  here,  however,  with  the  aid 
pf  the  Englishman  before  mentioned,  in  a  ship  belong- 
ing to  the  king  of  Owyhee,  they  made  a  descent  upon 
WoaJioo  and  completely  conquered  and  subjugated  the 
island  to  the  power  of  the  king  of  Owyhee. 

The  wind  continued  fresh,  and  at  2  a.  m.  we  passed 
4he  island  of  Mowee.  We  stood  on  our  course  to  the 
westward  during  this  day  and  night 


**tig!B.'ja«i!'griji!ui>jiiMii«»w 


m0kt 


ed  a  large  number 
<m  away  alive,  not 
Bd  if  we  oould,  we 
the  pork  in  this 
e  quantity  of  fruit, 
stock  of  yams  was 
tain  W.  was  deter- 
ds  to  procure  them, 
island  being  now 
all  on  board,  and 
among  the  natives, 
pparent  sorrow  and 
ichor,  made  all  sail 
St,  and  stood  away 
of  touching  at  the 

ooa  Bay,  lies  in  the 

7'  west.    It  is  the 

a  triangular  form, 

tints  constuiute  the 

remities.    The  cir- 

aid  to  be  255  geo- 

es.    Its  breadth  is 

I  length,  which  lies 

>n,  is  2S^  leagues. 

dual  ascent,  and  is 

rather  chasms.    It 

have  many  villages 

is  by  far  the  largest 

hese  islands  were 

Woahoo.  A  short 

vever,  with  the  aid 

,  in  a  ship  belong- 

ide  a  descent  upon 

md  subjugated  the 

•wyhee. 

X  2  A.  M.  we  passed 
our  course  to  the 


-^  ,tjH.  ■i^'^  ;—??!?.»*«  !"«I«»W"«*«B*! 


mMMm 


mmmttHi  ""•'■'■'  "-' 


LIFE  ON  THE   OCEAN. 


135 


March  14. — ^At  daylight  passed  the  islands  of  Tahoo- 
rowa  and  Ranai,  and  at  4  p.  m.  passed  the  island  of 
Woahoo.  During  the  night  the  wind  continued  strong 
from  the  north-east. 

March  15.<— At  8  a.  m.  saw  the  island  of  Attoi,  bear- 
ing west  by  north,  distant  ten  leagues.  At  meridian 
hauled  in  to  the  Bay  of  Whymoa,  and  when  sufficiently 
near  the  landing  hoisted  out  two  boats  and  sent  them  on 
shore  to  procure  yams,  the  ship  standing  off  and  on  in 
the  meantime,  Capt  W.  not  deeming  it  necessary  to 
anchor.  At  4  p.  m.  the  boats  returned,  not  being  able 
to  procure  more  than  twenty  baskets,  and  as  we  had 
now  no  further  business  at  tiicse  islands,  and  being  well 
stocked  with  fresh  provisions,  vegetables,  fruits,  &,c. 
made  all  sail  and  bore  away  for  Canton.  During  the 
remainder  of  this  day  we  were  employed  in  unbending 
and  coiling  away  the  cables,  stowing  the  anchors  on  the 
the  bows,  clearing  the  decks,  &c.  preparatory  to  the  long 
run  which  was  before  us.  Throughout  the  night  the 
wind  continued  fresh  and  the  weather  exceedingly 
fine,  with  a  cloudless  sky.  Life  and  animation  prevail- 
ed throughout  the  ship's  company.  As  the  form^ 
gloomy  occurrences  wore  away,  and  the  thoughts  of 
the  land  of  our  birth — being  now  homeward  bound  as 
it  were — ^took  possession  of  every  mind,  the  exhilirating 
change  induced  a  buoyancy  of  spirits  to  all  on  board, 
except  to  Capt.  W.  whose  countenance  was  sometimes 
enshrouded  with  gloom,  probably  owing  to  the  loss  cf 
life  we  had  sustained  in  the  action  on  the  coast  of 
Peru. 

My  old  messmate,  Jack  Sawyer,  had  not  slackened 
his  studies  while  at  the  islands,  but  as  he  used  to  say 
when  there,  "that  as  we  were  neither  at  sea,  nor  on  shore, 
nor  in  harbour,  so  he  couldn't  lam  much  there,  but 
now  that  we  had  fairly  got  into  blue  water,  with  ailA  our 
canvas  spread  to  the  breeze,  he  would  turn  to,  with  a 
will  and  noist  it  in  as  fest  as  possible,  and  in  time,  spin 
the  remainder  of  his  yam  before  we  arrived  at  Canton." 

March  16.— -This  day  the  wind  settled  into  a  fine 


11 


It 

f 


.^ 


m:*tM  i'iBa»iiii>iniiiWMiywi 


'liWCBWSW: ' 


T 


136 


LIFB  ON  THE   OOBAN. 


north-east  trade,  and  every  yard  of  canvas  was  spread 
that  couid  be  set  to  advantage.  Our  latitude  at  meri- 
dian was  21°  north,  and  longitude  from  the  last  depar- 
ture was  162°  west.  The  watches  were  once  more 
regulated ;  every  man  on  board  knew  his  station,  and 
the  duties  of  the  ship  were  performed  with  the  usual 
system  and  promptness.  The  most  intense  application 
was  made  by  many  of  the  young  seamen  to  acquire  not 
only  a  perfect  knowledge  of  seamanship,  but  of  naviga- 
tion also. 

The  finest  opportunity  that  can  be  afforded  to  a  young 
man  who  intends  to  follow  a  sca-lifo,  is  in  a  well-regu- 
lated merchant  ship  on  similar  voyages  to  the  present  one, 
or  to  and  from  the  East  Indies.  There  are  many  advan- 
tages on  these  voyages  that  are  not  to  be  found  in  the 
European,  West  India  or  Brazil  trade-,  for  usually,  on 
long  voyages,  watch  and  watch  is  given,  or  at  least  the 
forenoon  Avatch  below,  and  as  there  is  generally  a  long 
series  of  fair  winds  and  fine  weather,  consequently  the 
watch  below  is  seldom  or  never  called  up  in  the  night 
to  reef  topsails,  &>c.  and  therefore  have  a  sufficiency  of 
time  for  rest,  and  the  wateh  below  in  the  day  time  may 
employ  themselves  in  study.  Again,  there  are  various 
duties  on  those  voyages  which  are  of  vast  importance  to 
a  young  seaman,  and  which  are  scarcely  ever  performed 
on  short  voyages,  such  as  making  new  sails,  laying  rope, 
building  boats,  and  more  particularly  still,  that  cf  stnp- 
ping  and  overhauling  a  ship's  rigging ;  that  is,  to  send 
down  every  yard  and  mast — except  the  lower  masts — 
and  then  strip  the  yards  and  overhaul  the  stops,  take 
all  the  rigging  from  off  the  mast  heads,  then  get  it  on  a 
stretch,  and  strip  off  the  service  and  parcellings  tar  the 
r><^ing,  heave  on  the  service  and  parcelling  afresh,  seize 
Xi.,  eyes  of  the  tigging,  and  then  clap  it  over  the  mast 
h^ids  again.  This  is  a  very  essential  part  of  a  sea- 
man's duty,  and  one  necessarily  to  be  attended  to  on 
long  voyages,  as  you  are  thereby  enabled  to  discover 
whether  there  are  defects  either  in  the  rigging  or  spars. 
it  is  sometimes  the  case  that  a  young  man  serves  an  en- 


mm 


MMWi 


■Mi 


■  ^"v,."*''-"*"'  "»■'"•?'•* 


LIFE   ON  THE   OCEAN. 


18T 


anvas  was  spread 
latitude  at  meri- 
Mti  the  last  depar- 
were  once  more 
T  his  station,  and 
d  with  the  usual 
ntense  application 
aen  to  acquire  not 
lip,  but  of  naviga^ 

fibrded  to  a  young 
is  in  a  well-regu- 
to  the  present  one, 
3  are  many  advan> 
o  be  found  in  the 
r,  for  usually,  on 
en,  or  at  least  the 
s  generally  a  long 
consequently  the 
i  up  in  the  night 
ve  a  sufficiency  of 
the  day  time  may 
there  are  various 
irast  importance  to 
ly  ever  performed 
sails,  laying  rope, 
still,  that  cf  stnp- 
that  is,  to  send 
ie  lower  masts — 
li  the  stops,  take 
},  then  get  it  on  a 
)arceiling»  tar  the 
lling  afiresh,  seize 
it  over  the  mast 
ial  part  of  a  sea- 
attended  to  on 
ibled  to  discover 
rigging  or  spars, 
man  serves  an  en- 


tire apprenticeship  in  the  European  trade,  without  having 
the  privilege  of  lending  a  hand  to  strip  a  ship,  or  even 
to  witness  that  duty  executed.  Another  great  advantage 
to  a  young  man  en  those  voyages  is,  that  he  is  not  so 
frequently  thrown  into  scenes  of  dissipation,  which  is  a 
prolific  source  in  forming  dissolute  habits,  so  common 
amonc;  old  sailors,  because,  v/hen  a  ship  is  at  anchor  in 
the  ^ast  Indies,  she  generally  lies  in  a  roadstead  or 
harbour,  consequently  the  crew  live  on  board,  and  are 
seldom  permitted  to  go  on  shore,  except  oh  ship  duty. 
This  is  not  the  case  in  the  European  trade,  for  it  is  al- 
most a  matter  of  impossibility  to  keep  a  ship's  crew  on 
board  a  single  night,  especially  in  England. 

March  20. — During  the  preceding  four  days,  nothing 
transpired  of  importance  to  interrupt  the  usual  monotony 
resulting  from  a  long  spnll  of  fair  winds  and  good  wea- 
ther. I  have  sometimes  almost  desired,  after  the  wind 
continued  fair  from  the  same  quarter  for  a  length  of  time, 
to  have  a  shift  ahead  merely  for  the  sake  of  creating  an 
excitement ;  indeed,  I  have  often  her  :fl  old  sailors  grum- 
ble at  the  continuance  of  a  fair  wind,  and  this  was  the 
case  with  some  of  ours  at  this  time.  Now  that  we  were 
clear  of  the  Spaniards  they  did  not  care  how  long  the 
voyage  was  lengthened,  so  that  they  might  have  a  heavy 
whack,  as  thejr  called  it,  when  the  cruise  was  Ui*.  Cer- 
tainly this  ship  was  an  exception  to  the  generality  of 
vessels,  and  if  good  discipline,  kind  usage,  with  a  suf- 
ficiency to  eat  and  drink,  and  ample  spare  time  for  all 
purposes  of  improvement,  could  make  an  agreeable  ship 
and  comfortable  voyage,  this  was  undoubtedly  our  con- 
dition. Young  as  I  was,  and  surrounded  with  a  variety 
of  characters^  differing  essentially  from  associations 
and  habits  met  with  previously  to  embarking  in  a  sea- 
life  ;  I  nevertheless,  felt  contented  and  happy.  I  had  a 
messmate  who  was,  in  all  respects,  just  such  a  one  fts  I 
had  often  conceived  in  my  warm  imagination,  a  sailoi 
to  be;  this  companion  and  friend  wPi  the  fearless, 
honest  and  true-hearted  Jack  Sawyer,  one  in  whom  I 
fdt  an  indescribable  interest,  and  had  reason  to  believe 


\ti, 


■timmttmd 


i 


J    I 


138 


LIFE   ON  THE   OCEAN. 


it  was  reciprocated  on  his  part.  While  Jack  and  myself 
were  engaged  this  day  in  his  favorite  study  of  learning 
to  read^  he  promised  to  take  up  his  narrative  that  night, 
as  it  was  our  first  watch  on  deck. 


?'"^'^'1ifflJPMiitl'MD.III»IB»i 


iitiniijiiiniiiiiffiiiiir'  1 1 1  lliriH'  r  n '  i  iiT »- 


J.. 


iN. 


lile  Jack  and  myself 
e  study  of  learning 
larrative  that  night, 


CHAPTER  XII. 

Jack  sawyer  besumes  his  marrative— passage  to  cANroir. 

The  watch  bein^  relieved,  Jack  Sawyer  and  myself 
were  once  niore  quietly  seated  on  the  weather  side  of 
the  toretop,  the  ship  was  bounding  over  the  wide  waste 
ot  water  under  a  press  of  canvas  at  the  rate  of  seven 
knots  an  hour,  the  night  was  clear  and  cloudless,  and 
soon  a  profound  silence  reigned.  Jack  resumed  his 
narrative  as  follows : 

"I  forgot  to  tell  you  when  I  was  shipped  on  board 
the  frigate  S-—  I  lost  part  of  my  clothes,  and  among 
the  rest  the  little  Bible  which  poor  old  mother  gave  ihe! 
This  >vas  the  worst  job  of  all,  toe  it  is  a  rare  thing  to  see 
a  good  book  among  a  set  of  man-of-war's-men.  Well 
as  I  was  saying,  I  was  transferred  aboai'd  the  seventv- 
°ff  !r^  W— -  ^^estined  to  join  the  fleet  under  admiral  J. 
ofl  Gape  St.  Vincent,  to  watch  the  Spanish  fleet.  WeU 
some  where  about  April,  five^ail  of  the  Une  joined  the 
lleet  m  Lisbon,  making  in  all  sixteen  sail.  So  in  a  short 
time  the  admiral  received  news  that  the  Spanish  fleet 
was  out;  and  no  time  was  lost  in  getting  under  way  to 
go  m  search  of  them.  We  lost  one  of  our  ships,  a  three 
detker— she  got  aground  and  was  obliged  to  go  back  to 
repwr  damages.  On  the  morning  of  the  13tR  we  were 
iomea  dy  another  ship  of  the  line,  in  which  was  Captain 
u — 7  V  ..  ''!?"8^^  information  that  they  had  been 
chased  by  the  Dons,  and  that  the  whole  Spanish  Beet 
was  out  m  search  of  them. 

tJI?7  ^^"^  made  signal  to  prepare  for  action  and 
keep  dose  order ;  that  is,  to  stick  tfie  flying  jib-boom  into 
the  stam  wmdowsof  the  ship  ahead ;  anlwe  kept  close 


«MMb 


•  -rrrii  i  r-'-^—r^-rn,,.. 


K'.ii 


LIFE   ON  THE   OCEAN. 

enough,  for  a  man  might  walk  over  every  ship  on  the 
lee  and  weather  line  of  the  fleet  Every  now  and  then 
we  heard  the  signal  guns  of  the  Spanish  fleet  to  w'ind- 
ward,  and  all  eyes  were  trying  to  peer  through  the  fog  to 
catch  a  glimpse  of  them.  In  the  morning  at  five  bells, 
the  van-ship  made  a  signal  that  part  of  the  Spanish  fleet 
were  in  sight.  The  signal  was  again  made  by  the 
admiral  to  prepare  for  action,  but  he  might  have  saved 
himself  the  trouble,  and  the  v^^'  and  tear  of  the  bunt- 
ing, for  v.'c  were  all  ready,  bulk  neads  down,  screens  up, 
gup.s  shotted,  tackles  rove,  yards  slung,  powder  filled, 
shot  on  deck,  and  fires  out.  At  six  bells  in  the  forenoon 
the  fog  and  mist  all  cleo'  cd  away  at  once,  and  there  they 
were,  the  Avhole  Spaiinh  fleet,  tweny-six  in  number, 
three  deckers  and  four  deckers  anj  a  pretty  sif^htto  look 
at,  but  a  great  odds  against  fifteen  ships,  though,  to  add 
to  our  strength,  we  were  packed  in  close  order  aiid  all 
eager  for  the  fight,  while  tliere  the  Dons  lay,  somehow 
and  nohow,  in  two  broken  lines,  with  a  great  gap  of 
water  between  them.  For  this  gap  we  all  steered  with 
every  rag  of  canvas  set,  because,  d'ye  see,  by  getting 
them  on  each  side  of  us,  we  had  the  advantage  of  fight- 
ing both  broadsides  at  the  same  time. 

"At  seven  bells  the  action  commenced,  the  admiral 
pouring  a  raking  fire  into  the  Spanish  admiral's  ship, 
which  made  her  bear  up  and  fall  out  of  the  liMe,  iike  a 
struck  deer.  The  broadside  of  the  admiral's  ship  bored 
such  a  hole  in  the  Spaniard's  stern  that  you  might  have 
drove  a  wagon  and  horses  through  it.  We  were  soon 
smothered  up  in  smoke  and  couldn't  tell  how  things 
were  going  on,  but  we  guessed  pretty  near  hovi'  it  was ; 
and  when  the  smoke  cleared  off"  there  lay  all  the  Span- 
iards in  a  heap.    So  we  ranged  up  alon«;side  of  them, 

N ,  in  the  Captain,  taking  the  lead,  passing  the 

Spanish  three-deckers  which  might  have  satisfied  any 
reasonable  man,  and  ranged  alongside  the  four-decker, 
pouring  his  whole  broadside  into  her,  and  a  pretty  look- 
mg  riddle  he  made  of  her,  knocking  many  of  her  ports 
^to  one,  and  her.  scuppers  running  blood.    But  the 


iTW-iln 


i«ilHiMMMM»ii 


dfaMM 


)t  every  ship  on  the 
Ivery  now  and  then 
anish  fleet  to  w'ind- 
jr  through  the  fog  to 
iorning  At  five  beUs, 
of  the  Spanish  fleet 
igain  made  by  the 
e  might  have  saved 
id  tear  of  the  bunt- 
s  down,  screens  up, 
lung,  powder  filled, 
)ells  in  the  forenoon 
)nce,  and  there  they 
n  y-six  in  number, 
\  pretty  sight  to  look 
liips,  though,  to  add 
L  close  order  aud  all 
Dons  lay,  somehow 
with  a  great  gap  of 

we  all  steered  with 
,'ye  see,  by  getting 

advantage  of  fight- 

3. 

lenced,  the  admiral 
lisli  admiral's  ship, 
it  of  the  li?ie,  like  a 
idmiral's  ship  bored 
hat  you  might  have 
I  it.  We  were  soon 
n't  tell  how  things 
ty  near  how  it  was ; 
re  lay  all  the  Span- 
aloiiside  of  them, 
lead,  passing  the 
t  have  satisfied  any 
ide  the  four-decker, 
r,  and  a  pretty  look- 
g  many  of  her  ports 
ig  blood.    But  the 


■  ,1.,  iiliii'KHlilllllllWW.  HtJWH.II 


mmmmmm 


mmn 


■dfaUMMlMMikM 


LIFE  ON  TBB  OOBAK. 


l«t 


Spanish  four-decker  ranged  ahead  having  made  a  Mne- 
Tb}  average  oi  spars  and  men  in  tiie  old  Captain.  Soon 
after  she  fell  in  between  two  Spanish  three-deckers  and 
had  well  nigh  gone  to  Davy  Jones,  but  we  ranged  up 
between  them  in  oui  ihip,  nesh  as  a  daisy,  and  poured 
in  a  broadside,  which  quite  astonished  them ;  thev  soon 
dropped  astern  again,  for  our  broadsides  were  too  hot  for 
them ;  but  it  was  like  jumping  out  of  the  frying-pan 
into  the  fire ;  for  at  this  time  three  or  four  of  our  shijMi 
came  up  and  mauled  them  at  .;o  great  a  rate,  that  two  of 
the  Dons  hauled  down  their  colours.  But  we  could  not 
get  up  to  the  four-decker  again ;  she  played  her  mtt 
well.    This  loss  was  soon  made  up,  as  the  madcap 

N carried  a  Spanish   three-decker  by  boarding, 

when  his, own  ship  was  in  a  sinking  condition,  and 
after  driving  the  Spaniards  below  and  securing  the 
hatches,  he  carried  another  three-decker  by  boarding  her 
from  the  prize  which  he  had  just  taken.    As  soon  as 

old  J had  settled  the  Spanish  admiral,  he,  with  five 

other  ships,  hauled  his  wind  on  the  larboard  tack,  and 
weathered  the  Dons,  then  they  all  dashed  through  the 
line,  the  headmost  ship  pouring  her  broadside  into  the 
Spanish  three-decker,  giving  her  such  a  mortal  dose 
that  she  never  got  over  it,  and  she  was  left  to  be  picked 
up  by  the  other  ships ;  then  she  attacked  a  two-decker 
and  hauled  down  her  colours.  As  soon  as  the  V— — 
ran  alongside  of  a  Spanish  three-decker,  down  went  her 
colours.  And  now,  youngster,  we  had  fighting  enough 
in  our  ship,  for  we  were  yard-arm  and  yard-arm  with  a 
three-decker,  pouring  our  broadsides  into  her  as  fast  as 
wecorld  load  and  fire,  making  daylight  through  the 
Spaniard  at  every  discharge,  till  our  guns  became  so 
hot  that  their  breechings  snapped  like  spun-yarn  ;  and 
while  she  was  no  ways  backward  at  this  pretty  sport, 
returning  compliment  for  compliment,  which  left  us  not 
much  odds  to  boost  of  in  killed  and  wounded.  Our 
guns  now  becoming  unmanageable,  the  order  was  given  ' 
to  put  the  helm  a-port,  and  we  struck  her  on  the  star- 
board bow.  'Boarders  away!'  shouted  the  Oaptain, 
13 


MMW^U' 


142 


Lira   ON  THE   OCEAN. 


who  sword  in  hand  took  the  lead,  clambering  up  the 
sides ;  we  fell  on  her  deck  hke  so  many  incarnate  fiends, 
and  rushing  aft  we  silenced  every  beggarly  Spaniara 
that  showed  fight,  and  in  ten  minutes  drove  them  below 
and  hauled  down- the  colours.  The  four-decker  made  a 
brave  resistance  against  four  of  our  ships,  but  was  at 
last  obliged  to  haul  down  her  colours.  But  the  leeward 
division  of  the  Spanish  fleet,  consisting  of  eleven  sail  of 
the  line,  come  to  her  assistance  and  finally  got  her  off. 
Our  ships  were  too  much  cut  up  to  renew  the  action, 
and  the  admiral  made  a  yignal  to  secure  the  prizes. 
The  Spanish  fleet  then  got  into  line,  and  we  lost  no 
time  in  following  their  example.  But  we  both  had  had 
pleiity  of  fighting  for  the  present. 

"The  next  morning  the  Spanish  fleet  were  to  wind- 
ward and  might  havo  brought  us  into  action,  and  at 
one  time  they  mancDUvred  as  if  they  would  do  so,  for 

they  bore  up  and  run  down  toward  us ;  when  old  J 

hauled  upon  a  wind  to  show  the  Dons  that  we  were 
ready,  seeing  which  they  made  sail  and  were  oflf. 

"Well,  that  was  the  only  general  action  that  1  was  ever 
in,  and  although  many  a  hearty  fellow  Irst  the  number 
of  his  mess  that  day,  and  many  a  chap  uis  sent  off  to 
Greenwich  with  the  loss  of  his  pins  and  flippers,  to  be 
laid  up  in  ordinary,  I  did  not  receive  a  scratch. 

"I  shall  pass  over  the  many  years  that  I  was  on  board 
of  an  English  man-of-war,  being  transferred  firom  ship 
to  ship,  and  when  I  was  about  twenty  years  old,  as 
near  as  I  could  make  out  my  reckoning,  1  was  promoted 

to  a  captain's  coxswain  on  board  the  frigate  S- ,  in 

tlie  channel  station.  In  this  ship  we  had  many  a  dust 
on  the  coast  of  France  with  the  batteries  of  Monsieur, 
and  it  was  on  this  station  that  as  we  fell  in  with  many 
an  American  ship,  I  began  once  more  to  think  of  mother 
and  my  native  land.  Where's  the  odds,  thought  I  to 
myself,  by  this  time  old  mam  is  under  hatches  and 
'  there's  nobody  cares  for  poor  Jack ;  for  d^ye  see  I  was 
then  eleven  years  in  the  English  sarvice^  but  I  oould'nt 
get  it  out  of  my  thoughts,  and  I  juat  began  to  contrive 


clamboring  up  the 
ly  incarnate  fiends, 
beggarly  Spaniard 
I  drove  them  below 
four-decker  made  a 

ships,  but  was  at 
I.  But  the  leeward 
ne  of  eleven  sail  of 

finally  got  her  off. 

renew  the  action, 

secure  the  prizes, 
ne,  and  we  lost  no 
It  we  both  had  had 

fleet  were  to  wind- 
into  action,  and  at 
ey  would  do  so,  for 

s ;  when  old  J 

Dons  that  we  were 
and  were  off. 
:tion  that  1  was  ever 
ow  Ir  St  the  number 
lap  V  IS  sent  off  to 
s  and  flippers,  to  be 

a  scratch. 

[hat  I  was  on  board 
insferred  from  ship 

enty  years  old,  as 
ing,  1  was  promoted 

le  frigate  S ,  in 

re  had  many  a  dust 
tteries  of  ]Mu)nsieur, 
B  fell  in  with  many 
Q  to  think  of  mother 

odds,  thought  I  to 
under  hatches  and 
for  d^ye  see  I  was 
vice^  but  I  could'nt 
i  began  to  contrive 


LirS  ON  TRB  OOBAir. 


143 


how  I  should  get  clear  of  the  sarvice  and  get  home  to 
yankee  land  ;  but  this  was  not  quite  so  easy  a  matter  to 
do  as  to  think  about  it.  At  last  the  frigdte  went  into 
Poitsmouth,  and  I  was  paid  off  and  soon  drafied  on 
board  the  M ,  bound  out  on  the  East  India  station." 

Here  tho  narrator  closed  his  yarn  for  the  present,  the 
watch  beinfj  callea.  Tho  top  were  soon  relieved,  and 
the  starboard  watch  were  quickly  stowed  away  in  their 
berths  below. 

March  23. — During  the  preceding  five  days  nothing 
unusual  transpired ;  there  being  a  succession  of  fair 
winds  and  fine  weather.  At  meridian,  by  lunar  observa- 
tion, we  had  compassed  one  half  the  globe,  reached  the 
180°  of  west  longitude,  differing  twelve  hours  in  time 
from  the  meridian  of  Greenwich.  Continuing  a  westerly 
course  round  the  world,  a  corresponding  decrease  in  the 
east  longitude  is  the  consequence. 

If  there  is  any  diflference  in  the  monotony  of  a  sea 
life,  that  diflference  certainly  does  iiot  exist  while  run- 
ning down  the  length  of  100°  of  longitude,  with  a  con- 
stant fair  wind  and  fine  weather.  No  change  of  scene 
to  produce  excitement  is  likely  to  take  place  ;  and  it  is 
exceedingly  rare  to  fall  in  with  vessels,  being  entirely 
out  of  the  track  of  those  bound  in  a  contrary  direction ; 
neither  do  you  fall  in  with  any  land  iu  this  parallel  of 
latitude ;  and  besides  it  is  a  rare  thing  to  see  any  fish, 
so  that  for  amusement  you  have  the  sky  and  water  to 
look  on,  salt  beef  and  pork  to  feed  on,  and  knotting 
yams,  making  sinnet,  repairing  rigging,  &,c.  to  work 
on.  Nevertheless,  time  did  not  hang  so  heavily  on  our 
hands,  for  with  but  very  few  exceptions  every  man  had 
some  plan  for  employment  in  his  watch  below;  to 
which  he-  resorted  as  regularly  as  a  man  would  go  to 
his  day's  work  on  shore.  Thus  time  rolled  on,  and  the 
ship  rolled  on  too,  bounding  over  the  sea,  without 
interruption,  but  such  as  occasionally  occur  in  the  trade 
winds. 

April  10. — It  is  scarcely  necessarv  to  observe  here, 
that  the  last  few  days  have  been  passed  without  any  thing 


i 


I»«J 


# 


UTK   ON  THB  OCCAM. 


remarkable  transpiring,  and  indoed  I  ahould  not  hare 
noted  the  dat«  but  for  (he  purpose  of  describing  a  scene 
which  I  had  not  witnessed  since  our  departure  from 
Boston — a  battle  between  a  thrasher  and  a  whale. 
Although  of  the  same  species,  yot  there  appears  to  be  a 
mortal  anti|)athy  oxisting  between  them.  At  first  a 
noise  was  heard  like  a  distant  gun,  and  presently-  the 
combatants  were  visible,  not  being  more  than  two  hun- 
dred yards  from  the  ship,  and  now  the  scene  of  strife 
began.  The  thrasher,  raising  his  whole  length  nearly 
perpendicular  out  of  the  wa;er,  fell  with  incredible  force 
on  the  back  of  his  huge  opponent,  which  was  repeated 
several  times  in  quick  succession  ;  in  the  meantime  the 
surrounding  water  presented  a  white  sheet  of  boiling 
foam,  caused  by  the  maddening  struggles  of  the  whale, 
as  throwing  its  flukes  high  in  the  air  it  disappeared  for 
a  short  time,  only  to  reappear  upon  the  surface  to  be 
again  speedily  attacked  with  redoubled  fury  by  the 
thrasher.  The  battle  lasted  but  a  few  minutes,  when 
the  whale  went  down  and  was  seen  no  more.  It  was 
said  i)y  two  of  our  men  who  had  been  engaged  in  the 
whale  fishery,  that  while  the  thrasher  is  belabouring 
the  whale  on  the  back,  the  sword-fish  is  at  the  same 
time  annoying  him  below. 

April  12. — Some  difficulty  occurred  this  day^of  avery 
unpleasant  nature,  between  the  first  and  third  officers, 
which  was  terminated  by  suspending  Mt-  Q> JhoJbini  /<^ 
officer  firom  duty.     I  endeavoured  to  give  the  outline  of 
Um  character  of^each  officer  in  the  preceding  part  of  this 
worft.    The  difficulty  arose  from  an  undue  aasiunptioa   y^ 
of  authority  on  the  part  of  Mr.  0iiriid  contempt  for  his    '^ 
superior  officer,  Mr.  L.  while  subject  to  his  orders  in  the 
watch  on  deck.    After  a  suspension  from  duty  for  a  few- 
days  the  affair  was  amicably  settle^,  and  Mr.  vf.  retumed  ^ 
again  to  his  duty.    I  never  had  any  very  great  respect 
for  Mr.  C.  myself.    Clothed  with  a  little  brief  authority, 
he  endeavoured  to  exact  the  most  implicit  obedience 
fifom  every  man  under  him,  and  in  tiiie  event  of  any  one 
felling  to  please  him  he  would  woric  thom  up,  as  a  sailor. 

'  '   if  -^    ,      ^    .'\ ..  ii 


/ 


,\y 


'}x,o  A-*-  1^ 


Z%,    >^ 


K 


wmmm 


mmmmmm 


^^jl^a^Mf^^ttJ^^ 


I'**^ 


«« 


n. 

I  ihould  not  liare 
describing  a  scene 
ur  departure  from 
ler  and  a  whale, 
ere  appears  to  be  a 
them.    At  first  a 

and  presently- the 
lore  than  two  hun- 
'  the  scene  of  strife 
-hole  length  nearly 
ith  incredible  force 
rhich  was  repeated 
k  the  meantime  the 
;e  sheet  of  boiling 
fgles  of  the  whale, 
r  it  disappeared  for 
I  the  surface  to  be 
bled  fury  by  the 
BW  minutes,  when 

no  more.  It  was 
f)n  engaged  in  the 
ler  is  belabouring 
fish  is  at  the  same 

I  this  day,  of  a  very 
and  third  officers, 

,  Mr,  jDulie  Ihiid.  A; 
give  the  outline  of 
iceding  port  of  this 
uadue  usnmptioa  ^ 

contempt  (or  his  ' 
o  his  orders  in  the 
irom  duty  for  a  few 
nd  BIr.  Of.  letumed  i> 
very  great  respect 
ttle  brief  authoiity, 
in^>licit  obedience 
e  event  of  any  <me 
i«n  up,  as  a  sailor. 

K 


LIFE   OV   THE   OPBAN. 


140 


calls  it,  which  means  ho  would  set  them  at  some  very 
unpleasaut  job,  such  as  tarring  down  the  royal  or  top* 
galiant-riggmg,  or  slushing  the  royal-mast  or  topgallant* 
mast,  at  a  time  when  the  ship  was  rolling  heavily.  1 
had  several  of  those  jobs  conferred  upon  me  in  conse- 
quence as  he  said,  of  disrespect  shown  to  him;  of 
course  I,  as  well  as  many  others,  was  not  a  little  pleased 
when  he  was  confined  to  his  state  room. 

i4/>r*7  16. — This  day  at  meridian,  our  latitude  was 
21°  40'  and  longitude  deduced  from  several  sights  uf 
the  sun  and  moon  was  14U'^  30  east.  From  these 
observations  a  course  was  shaped  to  make  the  Bashee 
islands,  and  as  we  were  now  drawing  up  toward  them, 
the  trade  winds  were  occasionally  interrupted  by  squalls 
with  heavy  showers  of  rain.  Day  after  day  passed 
off  with  light  winds  though  tair,  until  the  morning 
of  the  28th,  when  the  cheering  and  exciting  cry  of 
"land  ho !"  was  sung  out  from  the  mast-head,  it  proved 
to  be  one  uf  the  group  of  the  Bashee  islands,  called  Qoat 
Island,  which  by  our  computation  is  in  ?0°  24'  north 
latitude  and  121°  62'  east  longitude,  from  Greenwich. 
These  islands,  about  sixteen  in  number,  form  the  en> 
trance  to  the  China  seas, and  extend  in  a  north-westerly 
direction  about  one  hundred  and  thirty  miles.  The  two 
islands  which  were  seen  by  us  were  rather  low  and 
appeared  to  be  covered  with  verdure.  At  3  p.  m.  this 
oay,  lo3t  sight  of  them  to  the  eastward.  The  winds 
now  became  variable  and  the  weather  dark  and  cloudy, 
and  as  we  had  had  fair  winds  for  about  fifty  days,  the 
change  was  not  at  all  disagreeable. 

4jDr»7  29. — This  morning  the  wind  veered  round  to 
the  north-west  with  dark  threatening  weather.  Heavy 
black  clouds  rolled  up  in  the  western  board,  presenting 
every  appearance  of  a  coming  storm.  As  it  was  nnm 
the  period  of  the  change  of  the  monsoon.  Captain*  W. 
thought  it  not  improbable  that  we  might  have  a  t]ri4u>n, 
whi<m  sometimes  blows  with  such  violence  that  nothing 
can  widistand  its  force.  As  a  preventive,  all  the  light 
satis  were  taken  in,  the  royal-yards,  masts  and  topgal- 
13» 


I 


■iWii 


„^(4Ji.**« 


"  ;iiS*spHSf  yr 


f^  'f. 


\m 


146 


LIFE   ON  THE   OCEAN. 


lant-yards  were  sent  down,  and  the  topsails  were  double 
reefed  for  the  first  time  during  four  months.  At  sunset 
a  heavy  cross  sea  rolled  in  from  the  north-west,  with 
severe  squalls  of  wind  and  rain,  accompanied  with  heavy 
thunder  and  flashes  of  sharp,  vivid  lightning.  It  con- 
tinued thus  throughout  the  night,  but  in  the  morning 
of  the  30th,  it  cleared  oflf  and  the  wind  hauled  to  the 
eastward,  when  the  reefs  were  all  shook  out,  the  yards 
and  masts  sent  up,  and  every  sail  was  set  to  the  flowing 
breeze. 

May  1. — The  wind  continued  this  day  light  but  fair, 
and  we  saw  many  aquatic  birds  which  generally  hover 
near  the  land.  We  continued  on  our  westerly  course 
without  any  thing  material  transpiring  until  May  6th, 
when  we  saw  the  island  of  Pedro  Blanco,  at  10  a.  m. 
bearing  west-by-north,  distant  seven  leagues.  Thus  the 
passage  from  the  coast  was  made  in  seventy-two  days, 
deducting  sixteen  days,  the  time  spent  at  the  Sandwich 
Islands.  We  3ontinued  running  to  the  westward  until 
sunset,  and  t'.ien  shortened  sai'..  the  Ladrone  Islands 
being  in  sight — continued  throughout  the  night  under 
short  sail,  and  at  daylight  on  the  seventh  the  breeze 
freshening,  made  all  sail.  Saw  several  junks  which  we 
supposed  to  be  piratical  cruisers.  At  6  p.  m.  came  to  an 
anchor  with  a  small  bower,  in  fifteen  fethoms  of  water 
in  Macoa  roads,  distant  half  a  league  from  the  land. 
Throughout  the  night  kept  a  sharp  look-out,  as  the 
Ladrone  Islands  at  this  time  were  infested  with  pirates. 

May  8. — This  morning  sent  a  boat  on  shore,  which 
soon  returned  with  a  Chinese  pilot  and  a  chop  or  pass 
to  proceed  up  the  river.  Throughout  this  day  it  was 
calm. 

May  9. — Got  under  way  this  morning  with  a  leading 
breeze,  and  stood  up  the  river  Tigris.  Saw  two  shijpe 
with  American  ensigns  flying  at  their  peaks.  We  spoke 
them  and  learned  they  were  the  Ann  and  Hope  of 
Providence,  and  America  of  New  York.  These  were 
the  first  American  vessels  we  had  seen  since  we  left  our 
native  land;   we  desired  diem  to  report  us.    \Vhile 


^itttewkMkGti 


N»A«MiillllH 


mmm 


»iiiiii«ai 


Vi*i-;    ' 


ipsails  were  double 
tonths.  At  sunset 
le  north-west,  with 
ipanied  with  heavy 
hghtning.  It  con- 
ut  in  the  morning 
rind  hauled  to  the 
look  out,  the  yards 
s  set  to  the  flowing 

3  day  light  but  fair, 
ch  generally  hover 
ur  westerly  course 
ing  until  May  6th, 
Blanco,  at  10  &.  m. 
leagues.  Thus  the 
seventy-two  days, 
nt  at  the  Sandwich 
the  westward  until 
le  Ladrone  Islands 
at  the  night  under 
beventh  the  breeze 
ral  junks  which  we 
5  p.  M.  came  to  an 
n  fethoms  of  water 
ue  from  the  land, 
look-outj  as  the 
fested  with  pirates. 
)at  on  shore,  Vvhich 
and  a  chop  or  pass 
>ut  this  day  it  was 

ling  with  a  leading 
is.  Saw  two  ahmc 
ir  peaks.  We  spoke 
/Inn  and  Hope  of 
iTork.  These  were 
m  since  we  left  our 
report  us.    While 


ijiiiltiiriiiiiiitrii  ■■aanrmtittfr'"^'- 


LIFE   ON  THE   OCEAN. 


147 


standing  up  the  river  in  the  night,  through  the  negli- 
gence of  the  pilot,  we  run  foul  of  an  £nglish  East 
Indiaman,  and  carried  away  our  jib-boom  and  fore-top- 
gallant-mast. 

On  the  morning  of  the  10th,  at  10  a.  m.  we  anchored 
at  Whampoa,  after  an  absence  of  one  year  and  a  half  from 
our  native  land.  We  found  lying  here  vessels  of  almost 
all  nations,  among  the  rest  there  were  a  number  of 
American  ships  waiting  for  cargoes.  Whampoa  is  about 
fifteen  miles  from  the  city  of  Canton.  The  river  be- 
comes narrower  from  Whampoa  and  the  water  shoaler, 
consequently  it  will  not  admit  vessels  of  heavy  draught ; 
indeed  the  Chinese  will  not  permit  foreign  vessels  to 
approach  the  city  nearer  than  the  latter  place. 

Captain  W.  and  his  clerk  proceeded  immediately  to 
Canton,  and  orders  came  down  the  next  day,  to  send 
up  the  specie  with  the  boats  well  armed,  as  many  of  the 
Ladrones  or  pirates  were  lurking  about  the  river,  and 
could  not  be  distinguished  from  the  Chinese  boats  in 
general.     In  four  days  the  specie  as  well  as  the  skins' 
were  all  safely  landed  in  Canton.    We  now  commenced 
stripping  the  ship  to  her  jirt-lines.    As  this  duty  has 
been  described  in  the  preceding  part  of  this  work,  it  is 
unnecessary  to  enter  into  detail;  suffice  it  to,  say,  that 
every  yard,  mast  and  cap,  as  well  as  every  piece  of  rig- 
ging were  sent  down  on  deck,  nothing  being  left  but  a 
single  block  at  ea^h  mast-head  with  a  rope  or  girtling 
rove  through  it,  both  ends  of  which  were  on  deck  fer 
the  purpose  of  swaying  the  rigging  aloft  after  it  had 
been  overhauled.    This  is  what  sailors  call  stripping  a 
ship  to  her  girt-lines,  and  a  very  necessary  and  impor- 
tant duty  it  is,  especially  for  young  seamen.    In  our  ship 
the  w.   .»  was  divided  between  the  two  watches,  the 
starboard  watch  taking  the  foremast  and  bowsprit,  and 
the  larboard  watch  the  main  and  mizenmasts.    Iti  the 
performance  of  this  duly,  I  was  as  usual  the  partner  of 
my  old  messmate,  Jack  Sawyer,  and  a  better  sailor  never 
cl^yped  a  gang  of  riggin|[  over  a  ship's  mast-head.    He 
taught  me  how  to  unng  and  rig  a  ship;  and  in  the 


w 


148 


LIFE   ON  THE   OCEAN. 


duty  which  was  now  goiiifc  on,  I  became  something  of 
a  proficient  through  his  instruction,  for  I  soon  learned 
how  to  turn  in  a  dead-eye  and  put  the  rigging  over  a  mast 
head,  as  w<3U  as  various  other  kinds  of  work,  in  a 
tolerably  seaman-like  manner.  In  about  ten  Jays  every 
yard  and  mast  were  overhauled,  as  well  as  the  lower 
topmast  and  topgallant-rigging,  the  tops  were  also  lifted 
and  every  mast-head  examined,  and  soon  our  ship 
was  all  a-tanto  again  with  royal  and  skysail-yards 
athwart.  While  this  duty  was  being  performed  the  ship 
.  was  caulked  from  her  bends  up,  in'iluding  decks  d^c. 
and  in  a  few  days  after,  she  was  painted  inside  and  out, 
when  she  presented  to  the  eye,  both  in  symmetry  and 
finish,  as  beautiful  a  specimen  of  what  a  ship  should  be, 
as  ever  rode  to  an  anchor  in  Whampoa. 

Orders  were  received  firora ,  the  captain  in  Canton, 
that  the  vessel  must  be  got  in  readiness  to  receive  the 
&mous  John  Tuck,  or  the  great  mandarin,  who  takes 
the  measurement  of  every  craft,  for  wlv  h  a  pretty  round 
price  is  exacted.     In  two  days  he  cu  rd,  in  great 

pomp,  bringing  with  him  a  large  reti  iid  he  went 

through  the  ceremony  of  measuring,  ..i.^cu  occupied  at 
least  as  much  time  as  would  have  taken  an  American 
surveyor  to  take  the  dimensions  of  twenty  ships.  Great 
respect  and  attention,  however,  was  shown  him,  it  being 
advisable  to  do  so ;  for,  in  default  thereof,  Mr.  John 
Tuck  would  have  tucked  on  a  very  considerable  advance 
in  the  *^cuinahaw"  allowed  him  for  his  services. 

I  shall  pass  over  (^ates  during  the  period  of  our  stay 
in  Canton,  as  it  was  understood  that  we  should  remain 
here  for  some  length  of  time  to  wait  for  teas,  which  had 
not  yet  come  in. 

The  ship  being  now  in  complete  order,  as  a  matter  of 
oonise  with  so  large  a  crew,  there  was  much  spare  time, 
and  liberty  was  given  by  Capt.  W.  for  a  part  of  the  c:  ew  to 
visit  Canton.  As  aknost  every  man  en  board  had  an  ad* 
venture  when  we  left  Boston,  and  which  adventure  had 
been  sold  on  the  coast,  Spanish  dollars  were  toleiablf 
plenty  among  the  crew.    It  was  an  amazing  sight  to 


iiiiii 


mmimimmmmmmmmm 


V. 

came  something  of 
for  1  soon  learned 
rigging  over  a  mast 
ds  of  work,  in  a 
out  ten  days  every 

'^vell  as  the  lower 
>ps  were  also  lifted 
id  soon  our  ship 
and  skysail-yards 
performed  the  ship 
eluding  decks  &c. 
ted  inside  and  out, 

in  symmetry  and 
t  a  ship  should  be, 
•a. 

iptain  in  Canton, 
tess  to  receive  the 
ndarin,  who  takes 
r  ha  pretty  round 
■b.  uoo-rd,  in  great 

.'-  nd  he  went 
..i.<cii  occupied  at 
iken  an  American 
enty  ships.  Great 
own  him,  it  being 
thereof,  Mr.  John 
isiderable  advance 

services. 

period  of  our  stay 
we  should  remain 
ir  teas,  which  had 

ier,  as  a  matter  of 
much  spare  time, 
partofthecewto 
bgard  had  an  ad- 
Lch  adventure  had 
irs  were  tolerablf 
amazing  sij^t  to 


UrX  ON  THE   OOEAHr. 


14». 


behold  many  of  our  lads  after  they  had  been  a  day  or 
two  in  Canton;  some  of  them  were- topped  off  in  a 
dress  of  sky-blue  silk,  others  purchased  Chmese  dresses 
and  paraded  about  the  suburbs,  some  of  them  felt  the 
eftects  of'^^hog  lane'^  in  their  pockets  and  on  their  backs  j 
and  it  was  astonishing  to  see  with  what  dexterity  the 
Chinese  world  cheat  them  out  of  their  good  money  and 
palm  off  counterfeit  dollars  on  them.  One  day  while  in 
company  with  three  or  four  of  my  shipmates,  we  went 
into  a  shop  to  purchase  some  quarter  chests  of  tea  and 
trinkets  ;  the  articles  were  selected  and  the  price  agreed 
upon,  and  the  dollars  thrown  down,  when  as  quick  as 
lightning  the  good  money  w&s  secreted  and  counterfeit 
dollars  were  placed  on  the  counter,  and  the  Chinaman 
immediately  cried  out  "ywistV'  ••  6.  bad  money.  Of 
course  we  were  not  very  well  pleased,  and  were  taking 
up  the  articles  we  had  selected,  when  a  signal  was  given, 
and  about  a  dozen  Chinese  with  long  bamboos  entered 
and  began  to  belabour  us  soundly  until  we  had  made 
good  our  retreat,  minus  dollars,  teas,  trinkets  and  every 
niing  else.  After  this  we  never  entered  a  Chinese  store 
unless  there  were  a  dozen  of  us  in  company.  The 
lower  class  of  Chinese  are  perhaps  the  most  expert 
thieves  of  any  peo^de  in  the  world ;  some  of  our  men 
4were  not  only  robbed  of  all  their  money,  but  while  sleep- 
ing in  the  American  Victories  they  had  their  clothes 
stolen  £rom  them  by  the  native  servants.  .  After  the 
allotted  time  had  expired  we  all  repaired  on  board  the 
ship  again ;  and  it  was  very  soon  discovered  that  our 
visit  to  Canton  would  terminate  less  pieasantly  than  we 
had  anticipated,  as  the  small-pox  had  been  contracted, 
and  about  forty  of  the  crew  were  taken  dcT  with  this 
loathsome  disease.  They  were  all  sent"  on  shore  at 
Dean's  Island,  and  as  almo;3t  every  shi^  in  port  had  a 
physidon  on  board,  of  course  they  did  not  suffer  for 
want  of  medical  treatment.  Fortunately  the  disease 
was  of  a  light  cheracter  or  it  must  have  pn>\<)d  fiital  to 
many  of  them.  With  good  treatment  and  attention  we 
did  not  lose  a  man,  and  they  all  soon  recovered. 


il- iiiiiwiliiliiiliiirtiw'*'*'* 


■-""  -"'    II  "i"!!'  Vl llHii^lW^lll'i I 


..  .JT 


'I 


V   it 


•^•^: 


160 


LIFE   ON  THE   OCEAN. 


So  much  has  been  written  in  reference  to  the  habits 
and  traits  of  the  Chinese,  that  I  deeir.  it  unnecessary  to 
swell  this  work  by  entering  into  further  detail  respecting 
thera.  It  may  not  be  amiss,  however,  to  notice  that 
which  attracts  the  attention  of  almost  every  one  who 
visits  Canton.  I  was  not  a  little  surprised  to  behold  the 
many  souls,  who  appear  to  have  their  residen  3es  exclu- 
sively upon  the  bosom  of  the  river,  and  I  was  c;  edibly  in- 
formed, that  there  were  not  less  than  three  mihlons,  who 
are  doomed  to  pass  a  miserable  existence  on  tha  water  foi 
crimes  that  hud  been  committed  against  the  laws,  or  for 
some  violation  of  their  religious  rites.  They  reside  in 
boats  that  are  covered  all  over,  and  procure  a  living  by 
selling  various  articles  to  ilioigners  on  ship-board,  anJ 
washing  for  the  ships'  crews.  At  night  their  boats  are 
pulled  in  shore  and  made  fast,  but  they  are  never  per- 
mitted to  land.  Many  of  th«m  are  miserable  in  the  ex- 
treme, subsisting  on  whatever  they  can  solicit  from  the 
foreign  ships  and  from  the  offal  which  is  thrown  over- 
board. 

Our  stay  was  so  much  protracted  here,  that  we  all 
grew  wearied,  and  ardently  longed  ^or  the  period  to 
amvo,  when  we  should  weigh  anchor  for  Yankee  land. 
At  length,  on  the  24th  of  August  our  prospects  began  to 
brighten  for  this  desirable  object,  as  on  this  day  wa 
commenced  taking  in  our  homeward  corgo ;  but  to  my 
great  surprise  and  mortification  we  were  upwaids  of  a 
month  before  the  ship  was  loaded. 

September  Js8.— We  had  now  all  ou.  cargo  on  board, 
and  the  ship  being  ready  for  sea,  nothing  was  wanting 
except  that  the  captain  had  not  vet  come  down  from 
Canton,  although  ha  was  expected'  every  hour. 


mmtmmim 


m*mm 


iipiiw'*'-  ■■  - 


fPHMMR 


bH 


IAN. 

iference  to  the  habits 
em  it  unnecessary  to 
t^  er  detail  respecting 
over,  to  notice  that 
aost  every  one  who 
rpriseil  to  behold  the 
eir  residep  zes  cxclu- 
iid  1  was  c  edibly  in- 
1  three  millions,  who 
;nce  on  tha  water  for 
linst  the  laws,  or  foi 
tes.    They  reside  in 

procure  a  living  by 
s  on  ship-board,  and 
night  their  boats  are 

they  are  never  per- 
miserable  in  the  ex- 
can  solicit  from  the 
tiich  is  thrown  over- 
id  here,  that  we  all 
1  ^or  the  period  to 
or  for  Yankee  land, 
r  prospects  began  to 
as  on  this  day  wa 
d  cargo ;  but  to  my 
B  were  upwaids  of  a 

Ou.  cargo  on  board, 
)thing  was  wanting 
Jt  come  down  from 
ivery  hour. 


MNH 


CHAPTER  Xni. 

SAIL   FROM    CANTOR   HOMKWA     J   BOUND — PASSAGE   THROOCtH  THB 
CHINA   BEAj   kC. 

September  29. — Capt.  W.  arrived  at  9  a.  m.  and  hav- 
ing unmoored  the  night  previously  we  had  nothing  to 
do  but  to  heave  up  our  single  anchor,  which  was  quickly 
done  by  running  the  capstan  r  jund  to  the  merry  tune 
of  "Yankee  doodle."  In  ?>.  few  minutes  our  ship  was 
under  royals,  standing  down  the  river  in  company  with 
the  ship  Baltic,  of  Providence,  she  also  being  freighted 
with  the  proceeds  of  our  voyage. 

October  1. — Discharged  ■  the  Chinese  pilot  in  Macoa 
road,  and  received  on  board  three  Dutch  merchants  as 
passengers,  to  be  landed  on  the  island  of  Java.  At  11 
A.  M.,  made  all  sail  with  a  fresh  easterly  wind,  and  soon 
discovered  that  our  ship  was  very  much  the  superior  of 
the  Baltic  in  point  of  sailing.  At  1  p.  m.  took  our  de- 
parture ^m  the  land,  exchanged  the  parting  adieu  with 
the  Baltic,  and  made  the  best  of  our  way.  At  4  p.  m. 
the  Baltic  was  like  a  speck  on  the  horizon,  and  the 
coast  lay  like  a  cloud  ranging  east  and  west,  while  the 
Ladrone  Islands  began  gradually  to  disappear  in  the  dis- 
tance. At  sunset  they  were  all  out  of  sight,  and  we 
were  once  more  on  the  ocean,  where  at  every  point  sky 
and  water  only  meet  the  eye.  At  8  a.  m.  all  hands  were 
called  aft,  the  watches  were  chosen ;  the  crew  being 
somewhat  diminished,  it  became  necessary  again  to 
choose  the  watches.  It  fell  to  my  lot  to  be  again  placed 
in  the  starboard  watch,  and  to  iny  great  satisfaction 
Jack  Sawyer  was  also  chosen  in  tne  same.  After  this 
had  been  gone  through  with,  the  watch  was  set,  and  as 


m 


r<i  nriitiifiiiliiiaii 


=■■ »  ^IT^STf^-J^^^i,-^^^- 


h>.MUM«Ui3SiiMir> 


vfiit^m^vm^kfimprnm^m. 


) 


X 


152 


lilPB  ON  THB  OOBAN. 


customary,  the  starboard  watch  had  the  first  four  hours 
on  deck :  I  say  as  customary  because  the  larboard  or 
chief  mate's  watch  takes  the  ship  when  outward  bound, 
and  the  starboard  or  captain's  watch  when  homeward 
bound.  Throughout  this  night  the  wind  was  fresh  and 
feir,  an^  our  ship  with  her  light  and  buoyant  Canton 
cargo,  bounded  over  the  sea  like  a  race-horse,  and  to  my 
imagination  seemed  as  eager  to  reach  her  appointed 
desUnation,  as  if  possessed  with  the  power  of  thought 
and  reflection.  Certainly  she  did  not  lack  for  canvas, 
for  sail  after  sail  was  set,  until  no  more  could  be  spread 
to  advantage. 

It  was  a  merry  night,  for  long  after  eight  bells  we*^ 
struck  and  the  watch  had  turned  in,  the  jovial  laUgh 
was  heard  from  those  who  were  snugly  coiled  away  in 
their  berths,  while  the  watch  on  deck  in  different  groups 
were  singing  tlieir  favorite  ballads,  smacked  with  the 
exploits  of  pirates  and  highwayman,  which  old  sailors 
jso  much  delight  in  ;  and  another  group,  hanging  round 
the  windlass,  seemed  to  be  very  positive  in  their  calcu- 
lations as  to  the  number  of  days  we  should  be  in  lu;^- 
ing  the  passage  to  Boston.    "Avast  there,"  said  an  old 
salt,  "don't  be  counting  the  chickens  before  they  are 
hatched.    I've  known  a  faster  ship  than  this  to  be  more 
than  six  months  making  a  passage  -,  aye  and  a  pretty 
time  we  had  of  it,  for  I  was  in  that  self-same  ship.    Our 
captain  was  a  young  man,  and  had  just  as  nice  a  suit  of 
hair  on  his  napper,  as  you  might  see  in  a  day's  walk,  but' 
what  with  calms,  squalls,  head  winds,  and  gales  on  the 
passage  home,  it  made  him  rave  like  some  chaps  who 
nave  their  jibs  bowsed  out  taut,  so  that  he  tore  all  the 
hair  out. the  top  of  his  he»d,  and  when  we  got  home,  he 
was  just  as  bald  as  a  guinea  pig."    At  this  point  the 
watch  gathered  around  him  and  he  spun  out  a  marvel- 
lous yam  of  gales  and  calms,  and  short  allowances,  when  . 
it  was  cut  short  by  eight  bells  beinv  struck,  and  the 
boatswain's  mate  piping  the  larboard  watch  on  deck. 

Oct.  7. — Nothing  of  importance  transpired  the  few  pre- 
ceding days,  the  weather  continued  good  and  the  wind 


MMM 


MM 


mmmm 


AN. 

[  the  first  four  hours 
use  the  larboard  or 
hen  outward  bound, 
ch  when  homeward 
wind  was  fresh  and 
nd  buoyant  Canton 
tee-horse,  and  to  my 
each  her  appointed 
3  power  of  tnought 
lot  lack  for  canvas, 
ore  could  be  spread 

'ter  eight  bells  were 
in,  the  jovial  \uagh 
u^iy  coiled  away  in 
{ in  differen:  groups 
smacked  with  the 
1,  which  old  sailors 
}up,  hanging  round 
itive  in  their  calcu- 
should  be  in  tm^- 
there,"  said  an  old 
ens  before  they  are 
han  this  to  be  more 
;  aye  and  a  pretty 
Blf-same  ship.    Our 
ust  as  nice  a  suit  of 
in  a  day's  walk,  but' 
Is,  and  gales  on  the 
ke  some  chaps  who 
that  he  tore  all  the 
sn  we  got  home,  he 
At  this  point  the 
spun  out  a  marvel- 
t  alloxvances,  when  . 
3ff  struck,  and  the 
rd  watch  on  deck, 
ispired  the  few  pre- 
good  and  the  wind 


LIFI  ON  tHB  OOBAN. 


u» 


fiur  with  strong  breezes.  At  10  a.  m.  made  the  small 
island  of  Pulosapata.  This  island  being  low  and  the 
weather  hazy  at  the  time,  we  were  very  near  to  it  before 
it  could  be  seen,  so  much  so  that  we  found  some  diffi- 
culty to  weather  it,  there  being  two  small  rocks  about  a 
quarter  of  a  mile  distant  and  abreast  the  island.  The 
current  running  rapidly  obliged  us  to  pass  through  a 
channel  between  the  rocks,  although  it  was  at  an  immi- 
nent risk.  These  rocks  are  called  the  cockpits,  and  J  shall 
never  forget  thein ;  for  being  a  'foretop-mau  I  was  sent 
OA  the  royal-yards  to  look  out  for  rocks  and  breakers 
ahead,  and  while  passing  through  the  channel,  which 
certainly  was  not  wider  than  three  times  the  length  of 
the  ship,  my  feelings  were  not  at  all  enviable.  Happly 
we  passed  through  in  safety  to  the  no  small  satis&cUon 
of  all  on  board,  and  especially  to  myself,  as  I  began  to 
think  all  my  future  prospects  were  then  to  be  cut  off. 

October  11. — This  morning  saw  the  island  of  Banca 
bearing  west-north-west.  Passing  through  these  straits 
we  experienced  a  strong  current,  and  as  there  were  many 
shoals,  a  sharp  look  out  was  kept,  as  well  as  great  atten- 
tion paid  to  the  heaving  of  the  lead. 

October  13. — The  wind  moderated  and  the  weather 
became  cloudy.  This  day  saw  the  Billiton  island  bear- 
ing west-by-north.  In  entering  these  straits  we  found 
a  current  nmning  six  miles  per  hour.  The  straits  being 
short,  the  wind  fair  and  the  current  strong  in  our  favor, 
we  soon  passed  through  them,  and  on  the  15th  October 
madi^  the  east  end  of  Java.  We  stood  close  in  with  the 
land  to  a  position  marked  out  by  the  Dutch  passengers, 
and  at  4  p.  m.  landed  them  with  all  their  effects,  for 
which,  as  I  understood,  Capt.  W.  was  largely  remune- 
rated. This  accomplished,  all  sail  was  again  set,  with 
a  moderate  breeze  and  cloudy  weather,  which  continued 
during  the  night. 

On  the  movning  of  the  16th,  we  were  not  more  than 

twenty  miles  distant  from  the  island  of  Java.    It  was 

nearly  cahn,  and  the  rain  fell  in  orrents.     Now  our 

troubles  bbj,an ;  for  as  this  was  the  time  of  the  change 

U 


MMH 


j|Tg|yyg|ggMg||gjp||iM<^>>-4- . 


-••  teutS'  ■  ^SuMf-fittfisika^.. 


WA 


UFB  ON  THE   OOBAN. 


of  the  little  monsoon,  it  frequently  huppens  that  there 
are  thirty  or  forty  days  of  alternate  calms,  squalls,  and 
rain  before  the  other  monsoon  fairly  sets  m.  Alas! 
this  to  our  great  mortification  we  experienced,  and  all 
our  fair  prospects  and  close  calculations  of  making  a 
short  passage  wore  in  a  few  days  sadly  reversed ;  for 
day  after  day  rolled  away  with  obdurate  calms  and 
heavy  rains.  At  intervals  light  airs  Avould  spring  up, 
but  Uiey  were  generally  ahead,  and  did  not  last  more 
than  an  hour  or  two.  Serious  thoughts  began  to  be  en- 
tertained by  some  of  the  old  superstitious  sailors,  that 
we  must  have  a  Jonah  on  board,  and  at  length  their 
suspicions  fell  upon  the  old  salt,  who  had  amused  us  so 
much  with  his  marvellous  yarn  on  the  night  of  our  de- 
parture from  Macoa. 

"You're  an  unlucky  chap,"  said  an  old  croaker  to  him, 
as  we  were  seated  around  our  kids  of  beef  and  tin  pots 
of  tea  at  supper  in  the  last  dog-watch  ;  "I  just  thought, 
when  I  heard  you  spinning  that  long  yarn  the  other  night, 
that  no  good  luck  would  attend  us  while  you  are  on 
board ;  hark  ye,  Tom,"  continued  the  old  croaker,  "how 
was  it  that  the  shot  from  that  beggarly  Spaniard,  which 
cut  away  the  breech  of  old  Stitch  there,  didn't  take  your 
napper  off?  you  were  right  in  the  wake  of  the  shot, 
though  you  happened  to  have  your  head  down  at  the 
time ;  and  now  1  remember  you  were  in  the  armorer's 
gang  on  the  island,  when  Joe  Davis  tumbled  off  the  hil' 
and  broke  his  neck." 

During  this  miserably  superstitious  harangue  there  was 
a  number  of  sailors  collected  around  the  speaker,  and 
ai^ared  to  swallow  every  word  that  he  uttered,  as  if  it 
were  pure  gospel  truth.  For  my  own  part  I  thought 
these  most  unjust  suspicions  might  have  rested  upon 
myself  with  much  more  color  of  truth  than  on  the  ac- 
cused, for  it  will  be  recollected  that  when  I  fell  from 
the  foretop  I  broke  the  hold  of  my  shipmate  by  the  &I1, 
^hich  precipitated  him  into  the  sea  to  be  drowned. 

From  the  duration  of  tliese  incessant  calms  and 
raia»,  we  not  only  lost  all  hopes  of  mcdting  a  shoxt  pas- 


'  ■''i^WlMimilMiMli 


aMtMHKf 


NliiMi 


mmmi» 


IAN. 

r  h&ppens  that  there 
)  cairns,  squalls,  and 
lirly  sets  m.  Alas! 
experienced,  and  all 
lutions  of  making  a 
sadly  reversed ;  for 
>bdurato  calms  'and 
rs  Avould  spring  up, 
d  did  not  last  more 
ghts  began  to  be  en- 
rstitious  sailors,  that 
and  at  length  their 
10  had  amused  us  so 
the  night  of  our  de- 

in  old  croaker  to  him, 
of  beef  and  tin  pots 
;h  -,  "I  just  thought, 
yarn  the  other  night, 
IS  while  you  are  on 
le  old  croaker,  "how 
irly  Spaniard,  which 
ere,  didn't  take  your 
e  wake  of  the  shot, 
ir  head  down  at  the 
ere  in  the  armorer's 
)  tumbled  oif  the  hiP 

s  harangue  there  was 
nd  the  speaker,  and 
It  he  uttered,  as  if  it 
own  part  I  thought 
It  have  rested  upon 
uth  than  on  the  ac- 
lat  when  I  fell  from 
ihipmate  by  the  &11, 
to  be  drowned, 
icessant  calms  and 
making  a  phott  pas- 


Liri   ON  TITE   OOBANt 


15B 


sage,  but  the  news  some  how  or  other  got  into  th«  foM> 
casde,  that  we  should  either  have  to  put  into  the  Isle  of 
France  or  the  Gape  of  Good  Hope  for  a  supply  of  bread, 
this  article  of  provision  having  become  short  and  ex- 
ceedingly bad. 

November  20. — This  day  the  weather  changed,  and 
theVind  sprung  up  from  the  south-east.  It  will  be 
seen,  by  comparing  dates,  that  we  were  about  thirty-five 
days  becalmed,  and  were  not  at  this  time  two  hundred 
miles  from  the  island  of  Java.  The  change  of  weather 
and  fair  wind  brought  with  them  a  corresponding  change 
of  feeling  among  the  ship's  company.  The  discontent, 
grumbling,  and  sour  looks  gave  place  to  cheerful  coun- 
tenances and  great  good  humor ;  even  the  unjust  sius- 
picions  which  had  fallen  upon  old  Tom  were  now  fast 
wearing  away,  and  after  two  or  three  days'  fair  wintl  the 
divinations  were  again  renewed  as  to  the  length  oi'  our 
passage.  I  was  not  a  little  gratified  that  such  an  entire 
restoration  of  good  feeling  was  established,  and  that  the 
utmost  harmony  prevailed  among  the  officers  and  crew. 
As  regards  myself,  I  cannot  describe  the  pleasing  antici- 
pations of  home  which  this  fair  wind  inspired  as  the  ship 
bounded  over  the  blue  waves  to  the  westward,  every 
mile  shortening  the  distance,  which  induced  associations 
and  reflections  that  united  me,  if  possible,  more  indisso- 
lubly  to  my  native  land.  One  among  those  reflections 
was  peculiarly  gratifying,  namely,  that  I  had  made  tole- 
rable progress  in  seamanship  and  navigation,  and  looke.' 
forward  with  a  degree  of  certainty  to  promotion  after  our 
arrival  in  the  United  States.  Another  source  of  pleasure 
was  that  I  had  been  instrumental  in  teaching  my  old 
messmate,  Jack  Sawyer,  to  read  the  Holy  Scriptures, 
which  he  was  now  able  to  do  tolerably  well,  and  which 
^ve  him  great  satisfaction.  I  had  also  the  good  fortune 
m  some  degree  to  acquire  the  confidence  and  esteem  of 
the  officers  in  general,  and  more  particularly  that  of  Mr. 
C  who  was  indeed  my  friend,  and  to  whom  I  was  in- 
debted for  much  of  what  I  had  learned  in  the  profession. 

December  16.— This  day  crossed  the  parallel  of  the 


iMMnBO^^ 


.-# 


IS6 


LIPB   ON  THE   OCEAN. 


isle  of  Fran^'e  rvithout  ony  mnterial  alteration  of  wind 
or  weather,  but  such  as  is  common  to  the  trade  winds. 
The  weather  now  began  to  assume  an  entirely  different 
appearance ;  it  was  dark,  cloudy,  and  threatening,  with 
a  heavy  cross  swell,  artd  if  this  had  been  the  season  of 
the  hurricanes,  no  doubt  we  should  have  had  one  of 
them,  as  I  understood  these  signs  were  the  precursors 
of  those  frightful  storms.  The  light  sails  were  all  taken 
in  at  sunset,  and  the  royal-yards  sent  on  deck.  During 
the  night  it  blew  strong  with  small  rain,  when  we  look 
in  all  the  studdiug-sails. 


iw; 


» 


w  ■  - 


Tl!^PIMMHii 


[  alteration  of  wind 
to  the  trade  winds, 
an  entirely  different 
d  threatening,  with 
been  the  season  of 
d  have  had  one  of 
i^cro  the  precursors 
sails  were  all  taken 
t  on  deck.  During 
rain,  when  we  look 


CHAPTER   XIV. 

ENGLISH    KA«T    INDIA    TLEET — THE    CHASE — JACK   »AWVCR'«  NAR- 
RATIVE   RESUMED. 

December  17. — This  morning  at  daylight,  saw  a  fleet 
of  seven  ships  to  the  eastward.  Wo  supposed  them  to 
be  the  English  East  India  fleet,  which  had  sailed  from 
Canton  about  ten  days  before  us.  We  wore  not  wrong  in 
this  supposition,  for  at  9  a.  m.  having  closed  in  with  the 
fleet,  the  convoy  gave  chase  to  us  for  the  following 
reasons  :  that,  as  at  this  period  these  seas  were  infested 
with  large  French  privateers,  which  now  and  then 
picked  up  a  stragghng  East  Indiaman,  and  as  the 
English  fleet  always  made  their  rendezvous  at  St. 
Helena,  tl.e  convoy  obliged  every  neutral  vessel  that 
they  overhauled,  to  go  into  St.  Helena,  and  there  suf- 
fer a  detention  until  ten  days  after  the  English  fleet 
had  sailed.  Tliis  was  done  to  prevent  their  giving 
inlbrmation  to  the  French  privateers.  As  soon  as  it 
was  clearly  ascertained  that  the  frigate  was  in  chase  of 
us,  all  sail  was  made  upon  the  ship  that  she  could  bear, 
the  wind  blowing  strong  from  tlie  eastward,  which  of 
course  brought  the  frigate  to  windward.  Although  she 
gained  upon  us,  yet  it  was  so  trifling,  that  m  three 
hours  she  gave  up  the  chase  ;  this  was  probably  done 
for  the  purpose  of  not  being  separated  far  from  the  fleet. 
During  the  night  the  winds  were  variable  and  squally, 
and  at  daylight  on  the  18th,  to  our  great  surprise  and 
mortification,  the  fleet  was  nearer  to  us  than  on  the 
previous  day,  consequently  the  chase  commenced  at 
broad  daylight,  the  mgate  being  about  six  miles  dis- 
tant from  us.    It  was  continued  until  12  o'clock  when 


■■  v.*.*iiftigiiiawiiiii  'itfi  "ii.  l,«;awfe. 


-  * 


i 


Kl 


I 


'i  \\-my 


}88  LIFE   ON  THB   OOBAN. 

she  had  gained  about  three  miles  upon  us,  and  their 
gave  up  the  chase.  At  sunset  tlio  trigato  was  out  of 
sight,  and  having  altered  our  course  a  little  during  the 
night  we  saw  no  more  of  them. 

December  20. — This  day  wo  reached  the  parallel  of 
27°  SCK  south  and  longitude  by  observation  30°  east. 
Ou.  fine  strong  breeze  loft  us  and  the  wind  became 
li^ht,  variable  and  westerly.  For  several  days  similar 
wnid  and  weather  contmued  without  any  material  al- 
teration, and  of  course  every  advantage  was  taken  of 
the  change  of  the  wind  to  got  to  the  westward.  On  the 
morning  of  the  28th,  we  found  ourselves  in  the  midst 
of  a  strong  current  ripple,  which  runs  rapidly  on  the 
edge  of  the  Lnc'uUos  Bank  round  tlie  Cape,  until  it  loses 
itself  in  the  South  Atlantic  Ocean. 

The  weather  now  asi^umed  a  v<>ry  threatening  appear- 
ance ;  heavy  dfiise  masses  of  black  clouds  rolletl  up 
from  the  western  board  with  thunder,  lightning  and 
small  rain.    Every  necessary  preparation  was  now  made 
for  a  gale,  the  royal-yards,  masts,  «kc.  were  sent  down, 
and  the  flying  jib-boom  was  run  in  on  deck,  preventer 
gripes,  lashings,  <fcc.  were  got  on  the  boots  and  spars, 
and  the  guns  were  well  secured.   At  meridian  the  wind 
increased   I'rom    west-north-west,   the  topgallant-yards 
were  sent  down  and  the  topsails  were  double-reefed. 
Reeling  topsails  is  one  among  the  most  exciting  scenes 
on  board  a  ship,  and  it  was  so  with  us,  particularly  at 
this  time,  as  we  had  not  reefed  since  our  departure  from 
Ganton.    Not  having  described  this  duty,  it  may  not  be 
amiss  to  du  so  in  this  place.     It  has  been  stated  in  the 
preceding  part  of  this  work,  that  in  consequence  of  our 
crew  being  large,  all  hands  were  never  called  to  reef 
topsails,  which  however,  is  not  generally  the  case  with 
tneiehant  vessels,  because  of  the  small  number  compos- 
ing their  crews.    But  now  for  the  description  on  board 
CKfour  ship;  the  watch  was  divided  equallv,  one  half 
forward  and  the  other  half  aft ;  the  officer  of^the  watoh 
then  gives  the  order.    **Stand  by  the  tt^psail-halyardf, 
mua  the  clewlines,  let  go  tiie  buiitlineeand  iMf*tacklee, 


flgHlpiir'— 


r. 

pon  us,  and  their 
irigato  was  out  of 
a  little  during  the 

lud  tho  parallel  of 
servation  30°  east, 
tho  wind  became 
iveral  days  similar 
It  any  material  al- 
tagfi  was  taken  of 
westward.  On  the 
iclvos  in  the  midst 
ins  rapidly  on  tho 
Cape,  until  it  loses 

hrcatening  appoar- 
:  clouds  rolled  up 
ler,  lightning  and 
ion  was  now  made 
were  sent  down, 
in  deck,  preventer 
B  boats  and  spars, 
meridian  the  wind 
le  topgallant- yards 
^ere  double-reefed, 
ost  exciting  scenes 
us,  particularly  at 
our  departure  from 
iuty,  it  may  not  be 
been  stated  in  the 
consequence  of  our 
ever  called  to  reef 
irally  the  case  with 
ill  number  compos- 
Bscription  on  board 
d  equally,  one  half 
ifficer  oi\Ui6  watch 
ie  ti^piail-haljraida, 
eaand  rae^tacklea, 


Lira  ON  THK   OOBAN. 


150 


and  stand  by  tho  lee- braces,  let  go  tho  topsail-halyards, 
slacken  (he  lee,  and  round  in  the  weather- oraces."  This 
is  done  so  that  the  sail  may  shiver  and  run  down  on 
the  cap  easi  y.  When  the  halyards  are  let  go,  the  top- 
men  spring  on  the  yards  and  overhaul  the  ties ;  when 
the  yard  is  down  the  lifts  are  taut  and  the  yard  i"  then 
braced  so  as  to  prevent  tho  sail  from  shivering ;  the 
buntlines  are  then  hauled  up  and  the  reef-tackles  hauled 
out ;  tho  tonnien  then  upring  out  to  the  weather  and  lee 
earings,  and  tho  seamen  from  the  deck  lay  aloft,  cluster- 
ing like  so  many  boos  upon  the  yard ;  the  earings  being 
faut  and  tiie  reof  points  knotted,  the  seamen — some  on 
the  topsail  ties  i  id  others  dosccril  with  all  possible 
despatch  to  the  dtjck.  Tho  clewlines,  reef-tackles  and 
buutlinos  being  let  go  and  overhauled  by  the  topmen, 
thi)  yard  is  swayed  up;  duriig  which  the  braces  are 
tending,  and  wlici  the  sal'  is  taut,  the  bo"tswain  or 
boatswain's  matit  \)'\\)o.s  "beli./"  or<<ir:.  ,.e  fast  ''  I  have 
known  the  topsails  to  bo  close  reefed  .  board  this  ship, 
and  tho  sails  set  in  seven  minut.  •  mm  the  time  the 
halyards  were  lot  go.  In  this  in  aance,  hovover,  we 
were  eleven  minutes,  owii^  jirobably  to  tl  want  of 
practice. 

But  to  return,  at  4  p.  m.  it  blew  a  strong  gale ;  furled 
the  fore  and  mizzcn-topsails,  and  at  sunset  furled  tho 
foresail  and  brought  tho  ship  by  the  wind  on  the  star- 
board tack,  with  her  head  to  the  northward.  The  ni^ht 
was  terrific,  the  gale  had  increased  to  a  hurricane,  with 
a  short  high  cross  sea,  br  ^'Jcing  in  almost  every  direc- 
tion, and  presenting  a  broad  sheet  of  white  foam,  which 
together  with  the  incessant  flashes  of  lightning,  made  it 
impossible  to  fix  the  sight  upon  any  object  except  at 
short  intervals.  The  heavens  were  overspread  with 
blackness,  while  peal  on  peal  of  thunder  roared  with 
horrid  din,  tdtogetner  appearing  as  if  the  ftiries  were  let 
loose  in  thi  ''intention  of  the  warring  elements.'  But 
the  ship  he)'  :vf.i  gallantly :  as  yet  |u>  angry  sea  with 
ibaming  cnut  Iiad  fiUlen  on  board,  yet  it  was  evident 
.  fmu  toft  increasing  Airy  of  the  hurricane,  she  could  not 


nmt 


MMM 


■  1.-011*1  llMillWK 


160 


LIFE   ON  THE   OCEAN. 


much  longer  resist  the  waves.  Indeed,  what  could 
wood  and  iron  do,  although  managed  by  the  most  con- 
summate skill  and  stoutest  hearts  against  the  frightful  gale 
in  such  a  fearful  night  as  this.  At  11  p.  m.  a  squall,  tho 
violence  of  which  exceeded  any  of  the  preceding  gusts, 
struck  her  abeam,  and  at  the  same  moment  a  heavy  sea 
broke  under  the  coifnter,  tripping  her,  which  together 
with  the  violence  of  the  wind,  immediately  sent  her 
over  with  her  gunwales  under  water.  Happily  at  this, 
instant  the  main-topsail  was  blown  away  from  the  bolt- 
rope,  and  eased  of  the  pressure,  she  immediately  righted ; 
but  the  loss  of  the  after  sail  had  caused  her  to  fall  off 
four  points  ;  as  soon  however,  as  she  felt  the  action  of 
the  helm  she  began  to  luff  up  to  the  wind.  Then  was 
heard  the  hoarse  voice  of  the  first  officer,  which  rose 
distinctly  above  the  roanug  elements.  "Secure  your- 
selves every  man  of  you !"  I  caught  a  turn  with  the 
main-clew-garnet  around  my  body  and  tlie  raain-swifler, 
and  then  casting  my  eye  over  the  rail  to  windward,  saw 
a  huge  black  mass,  which  came  rolling  on  toward  our 
beam  with  frightful  rapidity,  as  if  impelled  by  some  fury  - 
eeigisr  to  swalloAv  the  ship  up  for  its  prey.  It  was  an 
awful  moment — the  ^hip  could  not  shun  the  sea.  I 
heard  and  saw  no  more,  until  I  felt  I'was  nearly  up  to 
my  armpits  in  water.  For  a  few  minutes  she  lay  water- 
logged j  fortunately,  however,  all  the  lee  ports  had  been 
triced  up  and  she  quickly  freed  herself  from  the  im- 
mense weight  of  water,  which  must  otherwise  have 
caused  her  to  founder.  But  our  troubles  were  not  yet 
over,  for  all  the  ring-bolts  had  been  started,  and  many 
of  the  timbers  to  Which  the  guns  were  secured  were 
broken,  and  four  of  the  waist  guns  were  adrifl  or  hang- 
ing merely  to  the  broken  timbers.  "Launch  the  guns 
oVerboard !"  shouted  Capt  W.  "or  they  will  make  day- 
light through  the  ship ;"  for  two  of  the  guns  were  partly 
hanging  over  the  side.  It  was  a  dangerous  service,  but 
this  Was  no  time  for  skulking.  I  saw  the  iTearless 
second  officer — ^whom  no  danger  could  appal,  and  who 
nevear  quailed  from  any  duty^— with  a  hatcnet  and  hand- 


iiiifiiiiwiiMi 


mm 


w^ 


N. 

ideed,  what  could 
id  by  the  most  con- 
nstthefrightfiilg^e 
1  p.  M.  a  squall,  tho 
he  preceding  gusts, 
loment  a  heavy  sea 
ler,  which  together 
nediately  sent  her 
jr.  Happily  at  this, 
iway  from  the  bolt- 
imediately  righted; 
lused  her  to  fall  off 
lie  felt  the  action  of 

wind.  Then  was 
officer,  which  rose 
ts.  "Secure  your- 
ht  a  turn  with  the 
d  the  main-swifter, 

to  windward,  saw 
ing  on  toward  our 
)eUed  by  some  fury 
!  prey.    It  was  an 

shun  the  sea.  I 
I  "was  nearly  up  to 
utes  she  lay  water- 
lee  ports  had  been 
rself  from  the  im- 
jt  otherwise  have 
ubles  were  not  yet 
started,  and  many 
v^ere  secured  were 
ere  adrift  or  hang- 
"  Launch  the  guns 
ey  will  make  day- 
e  guns  were  partly 
^rous  service,  but 

saw  the  ifearless 
Id  appal,  and  who 
hatchet  said  hand- 


LIFE  ON  THE   OCEAN. 


161 


mmummmitii^" 


spike  in  his  hands,  followed  by  my  old  messmate,  tho 
lindaunted  Jack  Sawyer,  fearlessly  proceeding  to  the 
scene  of  disaster.  As  I  felt  great  pride  to  be  engaged  in 
any  hazardous  duty,  I  immediately  joined  them.  We 
quickly  cut  away  the  t  icicles  and  breechings  of  the 
twa  guns,  which  were  p'tly  hanging  over  the  side, 
and  got  them  clear  of  tn-"  ship.  There  were  yet 
two  more  adrift,  and  althougii  with  the  utmost  diffi- 
culty, and  at  the  hazard  of  life  and  limb,  we  succeeded 
in  about -half  an  hour  in  launching  them  overboard  also. 
At  midnight  the  gale  was  at  its  height ;  after  that  the 
sea  became  more  regular  and  consequently  less  danger- 
ous ;  set  the  main-stay-sail  and  lay  throughout  the  night 
in  safety.  For  three  days  it  Continued  to  blow  without 
much  variation  as  to  the  violence  or  course  of  the  wind, 
during  which  time  we  had  frequently  to  live  on  raw 
pork  and  biscuit,  it  being  impossible  to  cook  in  the 
galley.  This  was  indeed  an  unfortunate  gale  for  us,  as 
all  the  fresh  stock  we  had  on  board  was  washed  off  the 
deck,  together  with  three  casks  of  water. 

On  the  morning  of  the  first  of  January,  1810,  the 
wind  moderated  rnd  hauled  round  to  the  southward 
and  eastward,  and  the  sea  went  down.  All  necessary 
sail  was  set  and  once  more  we  stood  on  our  course  to 
tlie  westward.  The  weather  now  became  exceedingly 
fine,  with  a  clear  atmosphere,  and  we  found  the  ship's 
position  at  meridian  to  be  in  31°  30"  south,  and  longi- 
tude 22°  east.  This  day  the  stars  were  as  perfectly 
visible  at  meridian  as  they  were  at  night,  although  the 
sun's  altitude  was  upwards  of  70°.  This  circumstance  is 
owing  to  the  cletuness  of  the  atmosphere,  especially  at 
this  season  of  the  year. 

January  4.-rBy  observation  we  ascertained  that  the 
ship  liad  doubled  the  Cape  of  Good  Hope,  consequently 
we  bore  away  t^  the  northward  and  westward,  with  a 
fine  south-east  trade  wind,  and  set  every  6ail  that  would 
draw  to  advantage.  As  we  now  had  got  the  ship's 
heaid  to  the  northward  and  westward,  with  a  fine, 
steady  south-east  trade  wind,  it  appeared  moie  like 


iitfiiUw  trnfMrnn^rf^  - 


.'^l 


"."iffl^JWWflJ 


!».,■ 


^1 


H 


162 


UFB   ON  THE   OCBAN. 


reaching  our  native  land,  because  we  were  steering 
a  direct  course  and  had  no  more  capes  to  double.  There 
was,  however,  a  long  distance  yet  to  run,  and  as  our 
provisions  had  become  exceedingly  bad— especially  the 
bread,  of  which  there  was  now  only  a  small  quantity 
left— and  as  we  were  out  of  fresh  stock  of  every  descrip- 
tion, it  was  rumoured  that  we  should  put  into  some  one 
of  the  islands  near  the  line  for  a  supply.  We  now 
began  to  suffer  for  the  want  of  bread.  -  What" little 
there  was  on  board,  was  so  much  eaten  by  the  worms 
and  wevils,  that  a  small  tap  on  a  biscuit  would  reduce 
It  almost  to  dust.  The  only  way,  therefore,  in  which  it 
could  be  eaten,  was  to  seperate  the  vermin  from  the 
bread,  and  put  the  dust  into  our  pots  of  tea  or  coffee. 

JatvmryS. — The  weather  this  day  was  bright  and 
clear,  and  the  wind  blew  due  south-east,  consequently 
studding-sails  were  set  on  both  sides.  Now  for  the  first 
time  I  experienced  what  I  had  often  heard  remarked  by 
sailors,  viz.  rolling  down  St.  Helena  homeward  bound ; 
for  notwithstanding  the  severe  privations  we  now  ax- 
perienced  for  the  want  of  wholesome  food,  yet  neverthe- 
less general  good  will  and  harmony  prevailed  through* 
out  the  ship,  for  the  reason  that  all  pangs  arising  from 
depnvations  and  difficulties  were  absorbed  by  the  nleas- 
tng  anticipations  of  shortly  realizing  sweet  home. 

Janvary  10.— No  change  or  interruption  of  wind  or 
weather  took  place  the  preceding  days.  The  damages 
were  now  all  repaired,  and  the  usual  routine  of  duty  was 
earned  on.  I  soon  began  to  perceive  that  our  bad  pro- 
visions were  not  so  well  relished,  neither  was  the  hard 
fere  borne  with  the  same  equanimity  of  temper  in  the 
land  of  knives  and  forks  and  plates,  as  in  the  forecastle 
among  the  crew.  The  officers  grew  peevish  and  mani- 
fested it  in  a  variety  of  ways,  by  working  up,  &,t,  Thift 
was  particularly  the  case  with  the  third  officer.  Indeed 
we  had  been  so  long  confined  to  the  narrow  compass  of 
**Wp,  and  this  passage  having  been  so  mudh  fnotiact* 
ed  beyond  all  our  calculations— added  to  the  unwh<^* 
aoraeness  of  our  provisions,  was  not  onlyf  the  catiii 


«Wllilt(illiillllillll>lliltiliri'llllliriiiiiIlili WmiiiHiiiiriiiriini 


Jikm 


itrii"^'- 


NiiV 


AX. 

e  we  were  steering 
«s  to  double.  There 
t  to  run,  and  as  our 

bad — especially  the 
nly  a  small  quantity 
ock  of  every  descrip- 
id  put  into  some  one 
supply.  We  now 
bread.  -  What"*  little 
eaten  by  the  worms 
iscuit  would  reduce 
herefore,  in  which  it 
le  vermin  from  the 
s  of  tea  or  coffee, 
lay  was  bright  and 
h-east,  consequently 
s.  Now  for  the  first 
I  heard  remarked  by 
I  homeward  bound; 
rations  we  now  ax- 
3  food,  yet  neverthe- 
Y  prevailed  through" 
[  pangs  arising  from 
sorbed  by  the  pleas* 
•  sweet  home, 
rruption  of  wind  or 
ays.    The  damages 

routine  of  duty  was 
ve  that  oiur  bad  pro- 
either  was  the  hard 
ty  of  temper  in  the 
,  as  in  the  foieeastle 
r  peevish  and  niani- 
kmgup,&Ci  This 
lird  officer.  Indeed 
I  narrow  compass  of 
n  so  much  jnrDtmct* 
ed  to  the  unwhote* 
lot  only  the  canst 


UFV  ON  THE  OOJBAN. 


m 


of  some  ill  humour,  but  actually  produced  much  debility 
anu>ng  the  crew.  Every  mile  therefore  we  made  to  the 
westward  was  a  source  of  great  satisfaction  to  me,  be- 
cause it  brought  our  privations  nearer  to  a  termination. 

As  we  had  got  into  steady  weather,  in  order  to  pass 
away  time  pleasantly,  my  old  messmate,  Jack,  promised 
to  resume  and  finish  his  narrative  in  our  watch  on  deck 
at  night  He  now  could  read  and  spell  with  a  degree 
of  accuracy  that  astonished  many  of  the  crew,  and  I  com- 
menced teaching  him  to  write.  It  was  a  source  of  the 
highest  satisfaction  to  poor  Jack,  who  was  actually  a  dif- 
ferent man  than  when  first  introduced  to  the  notice  of 
the  reader. 

January  11. — This  day  commenced  and  continued  the 
same  as  the  former ;  the  crew  was  vjiriously  employed 
in  getting  the  ship  in  order  while  running  down  these 
trades.  Expecting,  of  course,  to  arrive  on  the  coast  of 
America  in  cold  weather,  I  took  this  opportunity  tc  get 
my  Cape  Horn  clothing  in  order,  wliich  had  been  laid 
by  a  long  time  in  almost  a  Useless  state,  not  having  had 
occasion  to  wear  it  for  more  than  a  year  and  a  half. 
Eight  days  had  now  elapsed  since  we  passed  the  Cape 
of  Good  Hope,  and  the  wind  continued  to  blow  due 
south-east  without  varying  a  quarter  of  a  point,  and 
the  weather  was  also  uninterruptedly  fine.  Homewud 
bound  vessels  generally  take  advantage  of  these  trade 
winds  to  overhaul  and  paint,  and  get  ready  to  make  ttieir 
entrance  into  port  in  trim  appearance,  as  it  can  be  done 
with  almost  the  same  facility  as  when  lying  to  ^n  anchor. 

The  decks  cleared  and  supper  oven,  all  hands  were 
on  deck,  and  the  privilege  of  the  main  deck  being 
granted  them,  the  crew  joined  in  the  merry  dance  as  a 
recreation  to^drive  away  the  spleen  and  disoonttnt  which 
began  to  appear  among  them  on  account  of  bad-  i»o- 
visions  and  short  allowance.  These  privations,  jbow- 
ever,  were  unavoidable  on  the  part  of  Capt.  W.  conse- 
quently the  difficulties  were  borne  with  little  murmur- 
ittg.  During  these  two  hours  of  frolic  and  sky-larking, 
all  was  forgotten  or  merged  into  a  general  feelmg  of 
mirth  and  jollity. 


mnntm 


g^jglfg4!»- 


„-!(* 


miOtU. 


f  ■ 


164 


LIFE   ON  THE  OCEAN. 


Eieht  b(  were  struck,  and  the  starboard  watch  being 
callea,  Jac.v  ;Sawyer  and  myself  went  up  to  our  station 
iv  the  foretop,  where  wa  quietly  seated  ourselves  on  the 
Oiarboard  side.  After  the  usual  preliminaries  of  taking 
a  fresh  'c|uid,  and  discharging  a  liberal  portion  of  the 
juice  arising  from  the  severity  of  a  high-pressure  grind- 
ing, he  resumed,  his  narrative  as  follows: 

"It  is  a  long  time  since  my  yarn  was  cut  oflf,  and  1 
hardly  know  whereabouts  to  knot  again ;  but  I  believe 
it  was  somewhere  about  when  I  was  drafted  on  board 
the  frigate  M.  for  the  East  India  station.  WdU,  I  thought 
I  would  give  them  the  slip,  and  get  hoir.e  to  my  native 
land  to  see  whether  my  poor  old  motner  was  alive  or 
not ;  but  then  there  waa  a  messmate  of  mine,  and  wc 
had  been  together  three  years  iu  our  frigate.  He  was  a 
true-hearted  chap,  and  often  shared  his  last  shiLing  with 
me;  so  d'ye  see,  we  ta)i;ed  the  matter  over — for  we  had 
no  secrets  between  us — and  he  got  the  better  of  me,  for 
he  had  the  gift  of  gab.  'Now,  Jack,'  says  he,  'Just  go 
out  this  cruise,  and  mayhap  we'll  make  some  prize  mo- 
ney, and  then,  with  a  long  score  of  wages  when  the 
cruise  is  up,  why  then  you'll  have  plenty  of  shiners, 
and  may  go  home  and  make  your  old  mam  comfortable 
all  the  days  of  her  life.'  This  last  argument  won  me 
ovei,  and  I  consented  to  go  with  my  messmate  Tom, 
and  we  fixed  the  bargain  on  the  spot  with  a  glass  of 

frog.  Well,  Tom  and  I  had  a  cruise  for  three  days,  for 
'yo  see,  all  the  shiners  were  not  yet  gone.  Says  Tom, 
'what's  the  use  ot  this  stuff  at  sea,  or  among  them  out- 
landish chaps  yonder  in  Bengal  V  That's  true,  Tom, 
aays  Ij  so  the  quicker  we  get  clear  of  it  the  better.  So 
at  it  we  went,  and  in  threq  days,  sure  enough,  we  had 
pockets  to  let,  and  after  that  grum  looks  and  hard  words 
Srom  the  land  sharks  in  Rotten  Row.  Well,  we  were 
now  ready  to  go  on  board  the  frigate,  and  as  £>he  was  un- 
der sailing  orders,  she  was  picking  up  a  crew  wherever 
they  could  be  found ;  and  many  of  them  didn't  go  oa 
board  with  a  good  will,  that's  sartain ;  no,  Ao,  they  were 
dragged  off  by  the  press-gang,  just  for  all  the  world  like 


tmmM 


AN. 

larboard  watch  being 
int  up  to  our  station 
tted  ourselves  on  the 
^liminaries  of  taking 
iberal  portion  of  the 
high-pressure  grind- 
lows: 

I  ^ivas  cut  off,  and  1 
igain ;  but  I  believe 
as  drafte'-i  on  board 
m.    Wdll,  I  thought 

home  to  my  native 
iiotner  was  alive  or 
.te  of  mine,  and  wc 
r  frigate.  He  was  a 
lis  last  shilling  with 
er  over — for  we  had 
the  better  of  me,  for 
k,'  says  he,  'Just  go 
lake  some  prize  mo- 
of  wages  when  the 
e  plenty  of  shiners, 
Id  mam  comfortable 

argument  won  me 
ny  messmate  Tom, 
jpot  with  a  glass  of 
le  for  three  days,  for 
t  gone.  Says  Tom, 
T  among  them  out- 

That's  true,  Tom, 
if  it  the  better.  So 
ire  enough,  we  had 
oks  and  hard  words 
w.  Well,  we  were 
,  and  as  &he  was  un- 
up  a  crew  wherever 

them  didn't  gooa 

J  no,  no,  they  were 
or  all  the  world  l^e 


ttPK  ON  THB  OCKAN. 

so  many  bullocks  to  the  slaughter-house.  Well,  off 
Tom  and  I  goes  to  the  frigati  and  after  taking  a  squint 
at  the  crew,  I  just  made  up  my  mind  that  they  were  a 
sorry  set  of  fellows.  Howsomever,  I  heard  an  old  quar- 
ter-niaster  say  that  they  would  be  as  good  for  the  sharks 
and  alligators  out  yonder  as  better  men.  Well,  we 
got  under  way  froni  Portsmouth,  and  stood  down  the 
channel. 

"And  now,  to  make  short  work  of  it,  I  will  pass  over 
what  took  place  on  this  passage,  except  that  there  was 
plenty  of  exercising  and  plenty  of  flogging,  so  that  by 
the  time  we  got  to  Bombay  the  frigf.te  was  in  a  pretty 
good  state  of  discipline,  ;iiid  I  was  promoted  to  quarter- 
master. We  remained  on  this  station  a  long  time,  long 
enough  to  make  a  pretty  considerable  hole  in  the  crew ; 
for  what  with  the  dysentery,  fever,  and  hot  weather,  the 
hands  died  like  rotten  sheep,  making  a  large  average 
among  the  tinkers  and  cobblers  that  had  been  pressed 
in  Portsmouth;  so,  sure  enough  the  words  of  the  old 
quarter-master  came  true,  as  a  number  of  them  were 
thrown  overboard  to  fill  the  hungry  maws  of  the  sharks 
and  alligators.  Well,  I  came  very  near  losing  the  num- 
ber of  my  mess  there  too,  for  I  was  laid  up  in  the  sick 
bay  three  mouths,  and  hadn't  it  been  for  my  old  mess- 
mate, Tom,  who  stuck  by  me  through  thick  and  thin,  I 
also  should  have  been  a  sweet  morsel  for  the  hungry 
belly  of  a  shark. 

"We  remained  cruising  on  this  station,  sometimes  at 
Calcutta,  sometimes  at  Madras,  Bombay  and  Singapore, 
for  nineteen  months,  during  which  time  sixty  of  our 
chaps  slipped  their  moorings,  and  the  grim  monster. 
Death,  made  a  pretty  equal  distribution  among  the  offi- 
cers. To  be  sure  we  felt  pretty  blue,  but  howsomever, 
we  made  up  for  it,  because  we  took  a  large  French  pri- 
vateer, ship,  and  recaptured  her  prize,  an  English  East 
Indiaman.  So,  d'ye  see,  as  we  had  so  many  men  docked 
off  the  ship's  books  by  death,  why  then  the  remaining 
number  would  share  more  prize  money  for  it  I  was  not 
sorry  when  our  ship  was  relieved  by  another  frigate,  and 

15 


tiStm 


ir-riwlt**^^''' 


'if^i<i 


..^w 


-■"T'Sftyff^ 


166 


LIFE   ON  THS   OOBAN. 


tvns  glt>d  enowgh  when  we  got  under  sailing  orders  for 
Kngimid  -.  for.  somehow  or  other,  I  couid'nt  get  it  out 
ot  luy  head  about  llieae  devouring  critters,  and  I  had  a 
morti  <  Jislikiijg  to  b.;  oat  up  and  stoT(fed  away  in  the 
juore-jioom  of  a  sha-  !<  >'  alligator.  And  I  tell  you,  when 
i  heard  i-ie  '  atswi.n  pipe  to  unmoor  and  get  under 
way  for  Ejigiand,  I  f-^i  jiist  as  glad  as  if  I  had  a  week's 
gi  S^,  and  I  saw  tlio  phiz  >f  many  a  chap  that  day 
brighten  up,  which  for  wine  months  before  looked  for 
all  the  world  like  sour  >nilk.  Well,  ve  got  under  way 
with  >,  fine  brrezf>.  an.;  it  seemed  to  me  as  if  the  frigate 
'vas  as  glad  to  f..':x  out  of  these  horse  latitudes  as  our- 
selves. 

"We  mr  a  prefty  quick  run  of  it.  and  got  into  Ports- 
mouu!  in  n>;ety  days,  then  the  frigate  was  talien  into 
dnok;  and  I  was  paid  off— wages,  prize  money  and  all, 
amounting  to  just  one  hundred  and  forty  pounds  ster- 
ling money.  Why,  I  felt  like  one  of  them  nabobs  out 
yonder !  So  much  chink !  a  pretty  sum !  says  I  to  my- 
self Why,  I'll  jUst  sheer-clear  of  the  pirates,  streamers, 
and  Rotten  Row,  and  get  these  shiners  home  to  old 
mam,  if  she's  still  above  hatches.  Yes,  thought  I,  I'll 
cut  loose  from  the  sarvice  and  my  messmate,  Tom  B. 
tor  I  very  well  knew  if  Tom  once  threw  his  grappling 
irons  and  sm.all  talk  around  me  Twas  a  gone  chick,  shi- 
ners and  ali,  for  another  craise.  Well,  I  didn't  stop  to 
consider;  so  1  took  a  boat  and  went  off  to  an  American 
ship  which  had  sprung  aleak  and  put  "n  here  to  repair. 
80,  as  I  was  saying,  I  goes  aboard  and  asked  liberty  to 
see  the  captain.  Down  I  went  into  the  cabin,  and  there 
he  was ;  so  I  told  him  my  whole  yarn  ;  how  long  I  had 
been  in  the  English  sarviee,  and  how  I  had  a  mother  in 
Marblehead,  if  she  was  still  alive,  and  how  I  wanted  to 
get  home  to  see  her,  as  I  had  some  chink  of  my  arnings 
to  make  her  comfoi  table  in  her  old  days.  'There  it  is,' 
■ays  I,  taking  out  my  bag  and  giving  it  to  the  captain. 
*I  just  want  you  to  keep  that  little  sum  for  me,  and  let 
me  go  in  your  ship,  that  I  may  once  more  see  my  native 
lano.'    'Well,  my  man,'  said  the  captain,  *yottr  story 


(iiTiiiiiiiliiliiiiiMiiiiiiiiirii 


Wfivoiiati 


■MHiiMliiUHiMl 


r  sailing  orders  for 
could'nt  get  it  out 
itters,  and  I  had  a 
oTfcd  away  in  the 
id  I  tell  you,  when 
oor  and  get  under 
s  if  I  had  a  week's 
f  a  chap  that  day 
I  before  looked  for 
ve  got  under  way 
ae  as  if  the  frigate 
i  latitudes  as  our- 

nnd  got  into  Ports- 
ate  was  talcen  into 
ze  money  and  all, 
forty  pounds  ster- 
f  them  nabobs  out 
um !  says  I  to  my- 
j  pirates,  streamers, 
iners  home  to  old 
ITes,  thought  I,  I'll 
messmate,  Tom  B. 
irew  his  grappling 

I  a  gone  chick,  shi- 
3ll,  I  didn't  stop  to 
afT  to  an  American 
t  "n  here  to  repair, 
id  asked  liberty  to 
tie  cabin,  and  there 
ti ;  how  long  I  had 
T 1  had  a  mother  in 
d  how  I  wanted  to 
Slink  of  myarnings 
ays.  'There  it  is,' 
J  it  to  the  captain. 

II  m  for  me,  aiid  let 
nore  see  my  native 
tptain,  'your  story 


LIFE   ON  THE   OCEAN. 


ler 


seems  to  be  a  pretty  straight  one,  and  if  all  is  right,  I 
am  willing  to  do  all  I  can  for  you.  But,  you  know,' 
continued  he,  'the  press  is  very  hot  and  you  have  no 
protection,  and  it  is  likely  they  will  overhaul  my  ship 
very  closely — what  will  you  do  in  that  case  ?'  'What 
will  I  do?'  said  I,  'why  if  they  take  Jack  Sawyer  out  of 
this  ship  they  must  be  wide  awake ;  but  if  they  do,  cap- 
tain, just  take  that  bit  of  dust,  and  when  you  get  home 
inquire  after  •  my  old  motlier,  Elizabeth  Sawyer,  or  my 
sister,  Nancy  Sawyer,  and  if  they're  alive  give  it  to 
them,  and  tell  them  it's  from  poor  Jack.'  'I  shall  be 
ready  to  sail  in  two  days,'  says  the  captain,  'so,  my  man, 
get  your  dunnage  aboard  to-morrow,  and  I'll  stow  you 
away,  or,  if  you  like  it  better,  you  may  stay  where  you 
are  now.'  I  thanked  him  heartily  for  his  kind  offer,  and 
told  him  I  would  go  ashore  and  pack  up  my  traps  and 
be  off  to-morrow.  I  kept  under  hatches  that  night,  for 
the  press-gang  was  out  picking  up  every  straggler.  The 
next  day  I  got  my  traps  all  off  safe  on  board  and  stowed 
myself  away  among  the  cargo ;  and  it  was  well  I  did, 
for  the  ship  was  overhauled  twice  by  the  press-gang  be- 
fore we  got  to  sea.  Howsomever,  we  got  out  clear,  and 
arrived  safe  at  Antwerp. 

"I  had  like  to  forgot  to  tell  you  that  the  ship's  name 
was  the  Eliza,  of  Boston,  Capt.  Saunders,  and  as  fine  a 
fellow  as  ever  stepped  on  a  ship's  deck ;  a  sailor  every 
inch  of  him,  and  knew  how  to  feel  for  a  sailor.  Well, 
we  discharged  our  cargo,  went  down  to  St.  Ubes,  took 
in  a  cargo  of  salt,  and  arrived  safe  in  Boston,  when  I 
once  more  trod  the  shores  of  my  native  land,  after  hav- 
ing been  away  nearly  fifteen  years." 

Here,  the  watch  being  out,  the  narrative  was  closed 
for  the  present,  with  the  promise  of  concluding  the  re- 
mainder at  the  next  favorable  opportunity. 

January  26. — The  almost  universal  sameness  of  wind 
and  weather  in  the  south-east  trades,  produced  a  state 
of  monotony  during  the  preceding  days,  which  was 
nearly  insupportable.  We  found  ourselves,  however, 
about  this  time  drawing  up  to  the  equinoctial  line,  and 


I 


,^.,jLii^.^t. 


'*''''tJ»-*'»*Bi*^ 


b^.wiiinp^^itnV^f((^a  ^ 


168 


LIFE   ON  THE   OCEAN. 


for  the  first  time,  we  understood  in  the  forecastle  that 
Captain  W.  had  decided  to  put  into  the  island  of  Fer- 
nando Noronha,  to  ascertain  whether  a  supply  of  oread 
or  a  substitute  for  it  could  be  obtained,  as  indications  of 
the  scurvy  began  to  make  its  appearance  among  the 
crew,  owing  no  doubt  to  the  unwholesomeness  of  the 
provisions,  want  of  bread  and  articles  of  an  anti-scorbutic 
character. 

Januari/  29. — The  trade  winds  during  the  preceding 
days  became  light,  in  consequence  of  which  we  did  not 
make  the  island  until  this  morning  at  9  a.  m.  when  the 
exciting  cry  of  "land  ho !"  was  heard  from  the  mast- 
head, to  the  unspeakable  satisfaction  of  all  on  board  ;  it 
being  the  first  land  seen  since  we  left  the  east  end  of 
Java.  The  usual  preparations  were  made  for  coming  to 
an  anchor;  such  as  bending  cables,  getting  anchors 
over  the  bows,  &c.  The  anchorage  being  to  the  west- 
ward, we  ran  round  the  south  point,  luffed  up  to  the 
anchoring  ground,  and  came  too  with  the  small  bower 
in  fifteen  iatlioms  water,  about  a  mile  distant  from  the 
shore.  We  lost  no  time  in  getting  our  boats  out,  two  of 
which  were  sent  on  shore  to  obtain  the  necessary  in- 
formation in  reference  to  the  object  of  our  visit  to  this 
place.  It  was  soon  ascertained,  that  a  supply  of  bread 
could  not  be  obtained,  and  the  only  article  in  place  of 
ft,  was  the  cassava  root,  which  when  dried  and  pulver- 
ized, and  made  up  as  dough  and  baked,  answered  as  a 
tolerable  substitute  A  difficulty  now  presented  itself, 
'tvhich  was,  that  even  this  poor  article  could  not  be 
obtained  in  any  considerable  quantity ;  the  deficiency 
however,  was  made  up  by  yams,  which  were  purchased 
at  an  exorbitant  price,  as  well  as  some  fresh  stock,  such 
as  'owls,  pigs,  &c.  There  are  no  springs  of  fi'esh  water 
on  this  island,  but  as  there  are  frequently  heavy  rains, 
the  people  catch  large  quantities  of  water  in  a  cisteni,or 
rdservoir,  built  for  that  purpose,  which  affords  an  ami^e 
supply  to  the  inhabitants  of  the  island.  This  reservoir 
stands  on  the  top  of  a  hill,  ftom  which  we  filled  ten 
large  casks,  and  it  was  with  some  considerable  difficulty^ 
vrt  got  them  down  to  the  beach,  being  obliged  to  par- 


liiiliillKliili 


MM^'"' 


s. 

the  forecastle  that 
I  the  island  of  Fer- 
•  a  supply  of  oread 
d,  as  indications  of 
arance  among  the 
olesomeness  of  the 
of  an  anti-scorbutic 

ring  the  preceding 
■  which  we  did  not 
t  9  A.  M.  when  the 
ird  from  the  niast- 
of  all  on  board;  it 
eft  the  cast  end  of 
nade  for  coming  to 
3,  getting  anchors 
being  to  the  west- 
t,  luffed  up  to  the 
h  the  small  bower 
le  distant  from  the 
r  boats  out,  two  of 
the  necessary  in- 
jf  our  visit  to  this 
a  supply  of  bread 
article  in  place  of 
.  dried  and  pulver- 
:ed,  answered  as  a 
!v  presented  itself, 
icle  could  not  be 
y,  the  deficiency 
!h  were  purchased 
i  fresh  stock,  such 
ngs  of  fresh  water 
ently  heavy  rains, 
Iter  in  a  cistern,  or 
t  affords  ian  ample 
I.  This  reservoir 
dich  we  filled  ten 
liderable  difficulty 
ig  obliged  to  pdr- 


■«w»imwr;  »*»'yn«rmi  - 


LIFE   ON  THE   OCEAN. 


169 


buckle  them  down  with  ropes.  We  remained  here  two 
days,  during  which  time  we  got  off  all  such  supplies  as 
could  be  obtained,  and  for  which  the  most  exorbitant 
prices  were  paid. 

February  1. — Giot  under  way  at  6  a.  m.  with  a  light 
air  from  off  the  land,  made  all  sail  and  steered  away  to 
the  westward. 

The  island  of  Fernando  Noronha,  is  in  the  parallel 
3°  56'  south  32°  33'  west.  It  is  sm^ll  and  of  a  moderate 
height,  and  except  on  the  western  part  there  is  scarcely 
any  land  susceptible  of  cultivation,  and  it  presents  the 
appearance  of  a  mass  of  rocks,  when  it  is  approached 
from  the  eastward.  There  is  no  shelter  or  harbour 
whatever,  but  as  the  anchorage  is  to  the  leeward  of 
the  island,  no  danger  is  to  be  apprehended,  especially  as 
there  are  no  gales  of  wind,  and  the  squalls  are  of  short 
duration.  Here  the  Portuguese  government  transports 
its  convicts.  There  were  at  this  time  about  two  hun- 
dred and  fifty  on  the  island,  kept  under  restraint  by  a 
garrison  of  about  as  many  souliers.  Females  were 
entirely  excluded,  in  consequence  we  found  them  in  a 
most  wretched  condition,  addicted  to  almost  every  vice, 
and  pilfering  whatever  they  could  lay  their  hands  on. 
We  were  not  at  all  displeased  when  we  left  those  knaves 
and  took  our  departure. 

At  sunset,  although  the  wind  had  been  light  during 
the  day,  Fernando  Noronha  had  sunk  beneath  the 
horizon.  The  breeze  freshened,  every  sail  was  set  that 
would  draw  to  advantage,  and  once  more  we  were 
bounding  over  the  sea  with  our  head  in  a  direct  course 
towards  home.  The  supply  of  provisions,  water,  &c. 
though  small,  was  nevertheless  seasonable,  for  two 
reasms ;  first,  because  it  induced  a  better  spirit  and  tem- 
per tmong  the  crew ;  and  secondly,  because  it  prevented 
the  outbreaking  of  scurvy  which  were  so  strongly  indi- 
cated pfsviousiy  to  our  touching  at  the  island.  In  two 
days  nom  our  departure,  we  once  more  crossed  the 
ti«{ainoctial  line,  horaewBrd  bound,  it  being  the  sixth 
txtap  we  had  crossed  it  on  the  vojrage,  as  well  as  having 
passed  the  tropics  of  Cancer  and  Capricorn. 


CHAPTER   XV. 


i<i   ill 


SATVRDAT   RIGHT    AT   8BA — C0NCLU8101C   OP  JACK  (AWTER's   KAR- 

RATIVE,  AO. 

February  4. — The  three  preceding  dnys  the  wind 
became  Hght,  and  liauled  gradually  "round  to  the  cast- 
ward.  Having  crossed  the  equinoctial  line  far  to  the 
westward,  say  34°  30',  we  cxywrienced  no  calms,  and 
much  to  our  regret,  did  not  liill  in  with  any  outward 
bound  vessels;  tor  although  the  supply  of  cassava  root 
obtained  at  Fernando  Noronha  answered  in  some  sort 
in  the  place  of  bread,  yet  in  a  few  days  it  became  loath- 
some, and  was  entirely  rejected  by  many  of  the  crew, 
but  especially  by  the  ollicers. 

February  7.— We  were  this  day  in  the  latitude  of  8° 
north,  with  a  fine  north-east  trade  wind,  nmning  at  the 
rate  of  eight  miles  per  hour,  with  studding-sails  set 
below  and  aloft.  It  was  Saturday,  a  day  above  all  others 
to  tlie  close  of  which  sailors  look  forward  with  great 
pleasure  and  delight ;  hr  on  this  day  the  work  generally 
closes  at  a  much  earlier  hour  than  usual ;  and  while 
the  extra  glass,  technically  called  "Saturday  night,"  is 
being  drunk,  all  the  fond  remembrances  of  home  are 
called  up,  and  long  yarns  are  spun  and  lengthened  out, 
while  the  much  cherished  toast  of  "sweethearts  and 
wives"  passes  round  ;  and  onjthose  occasions  especially, 
all  the  hardships  and  privations  of  a  sea  life  are  forgotten. 
We  had  now  been  out  upwards  of  two  years,  and  every 
hour  brought  us  nearer  to  the  land  of  our  birth.  Of 
course  all  those  fond  recollections  of  home  becune  the 
subject  of  our  thoughts  and  conversation.  Every  spear 
of  grass  and  bed  of  weeds,  which  was  now  seen  in  lai^ 


• 


Mi 


■iiiiiiii 


riMiiMi 


JACK  IAWTKR's  NAR- 


g  days  the  wind 
round  to  the  east- 
tiiil  line  far  to  tlie 
:cd  no  calms,  and 
with  any  outward 
•ly  of  cassava  root 
'^cred  in  some  sort 
rfi  it  became  loath- 
nany  of  the  crew, 

the  latitude  of  8° 
nd,  running  at  the 

studding-sails  set 
lay  above  all  others 
forward  with  great 
the  work  generally 
usual;  and  while 
laturday  night,"  is 
ances  of  home  are 
nd  lengthened  out, 

"sM'^eethearts  and 
ccasions  especially, 
3a  life  are  forgotten. 

0  years,  and  every 

1  of  our  birth.  Of 
r  home  became  the 
tion.  Every  spear 
I  now  seen  in  lai^ 


''""III 


ir-niiiinwafiiiiinMii**-- 


LIFE   ON   THE   OCEAN. 


m- 


quantitics  floating  by  us,  were  strong  indications  to  me 
especially,  that  this  long  voyage  would  shortly  come  to 
an  end.  Indeed  I  almost  fancied  myself  already  at 
home,  though  still  many  hundred  miles  distant  from 
Boston.  This  then  was  n  Saturday  night  of  peculiar 
delight  with  us.  The  decks  being  cleared  and  supper 
ended  at  the  commenromcnt  of  the  last  dog-watch,  the 
tin  pots  were  passed  alt  and  soon  returned  to  the  fore- 
castle brunming  witii  tiie  customary  Saturday  night's 
allowance.  The  members  of  each  mess  with  the  grog 
before  them,  seated  tlieiiiselvcs  li)r  a  rogiilar  set-to  at 
long  yarns,  and  unalloyed  enjoyment.  Although  Jack 
Sawyer  had  mostly  abstaincil  from  indulgence  in  drink, 
since  our  cnnvcrsation  on  tliat  snl)jt'i't,  yet  nn  this  oc- 
casion he  could  not  reCiain  I'mni  quailing  the  healtii  of  a 
tight  little  cutter,  to  wlioni  ho  averred  if  CJod  spared  his 
liie,  he  intend  to  gel  s)ili<'ed. 

"By  the  way,"  continued  he  to  me,  "what  do  you 
think  of  it  messmate."  I  told  him  I  was  not  comiietent 
to  give  advice  on  ^those  subjects,  but  that  I  had  often 
heard  it  said,  that  a  man  might  do  an  act  of  this  kind 
in  five  minutes,  and  vopeiit  of  it  during  his  whole  life- 
time afterwards."  "That's  true,"  says  Jack;  seriously, 
*Hhere  was  a  messmate  of  mine,  Sam  Jenkins,  wlien  he 
was  paid  o if  from  the  Syicn  frigate,  he  goes  ashore  to 
sjjend  his  liberty.  Now  Sam  was  a  good  looking  chap, 
and  loved  a  glass  of  grog ;  so  after  h.e  had  taken  aboard 
two  or  three,  ho  got  under  way  f!)r  a  cruise.  It  was  not 
long  before  he  fell  in  with  a  snug  little  frigate,  when  he 
bore  away  in  chase ;  now  she  having  skyscrapers  set, 
streamers  flying,  and  booming  it  olf  wing  and  wing 
with  a  clean  run,  it  was  not  tfuite  so  easy  a  matter  to 
come  up  with  her ;  howsomever,  Sam  freshened  his 
nip,  and  after  that,  he  overhauled  her  hand  over  hand. 
She  played  off  a  litde  by  a  manccuvering  puzzle,  but  Sam 
boarding  by  a  brisk  movement,  she  soon  sung  Out  for 
quarters,  and  struck  her  colours.  To  make  a  long  yarn 
short,  he  got  spliced,  and  a  pretty  splice  ho  made  of  it. 
8ha  Urta  not  a  bit  teitor  than  she  should  be,  for  she 


I  11 


172 


LIPB   ON   THE   OCEAN. 


m     1 


would  not  only  have  the  last  word,  but  th6  last  drop  in 
the  bottle  ;  so  it  was  squall  after  snuall  with  them  until 
poor  Sam  sheered  ofTaboord  of  a  frigate,  bound  on  the 
East  India  station,  and  loll  her  to  fiuiht  her  own  battles. 

His  yorn  being  over,  Jock  pourecl  out  his  allowance 
into  a  tumbler  made  of  a  bullock's  horn,  and  after  cooi^i- 
ing  "sweethearts  and  wives,"  and  expressing  a  hoariy 
wish  that  the  breeze  might  last  until  we  got  into  Boston 
Bay,  he  tossed  of  his  glass  with  a  degree  of  satisfuciion 
which  few  but  sailors  exhibit.  On  the  larboard  side  of 
the  forecastle  was  a  group  of  youthful  sailors  who  hud 
just  finished  a  long  yarn,  at  tlio  conclusion  of  which 
one  of  them  exclaimeil,  "in  twenty  days  I  shall  be  in 
my  fother's  house  in  Portsmoutli." 

"Avast  there,"  said  an  old  calculating  Scotch  sailor, 
who  had  nearly  worn  the  hair  otf  the  top  of  his  head 
with  the  lid  of  his  chest,  by  fre([uently  overhauling  his 
.clothes  and  adventure,  "ye'll  have  a  norwester  or  twa 
to  grin  at  afore  ye  got  safely  moored  in  Boston,  mon." 

"Stop  that  prophecying,  old  croaker,  and  let's  take 
things  as  they  come ;  that's  my  fashion ;"  bawled  out 
the  boatswain's  mute — "so  come,"  continued  he  to  Tom 
Fairbanks,  "screw  up  that  small  opening  of  yours 
meaning  his  mouth  which,  by  the  way,  was  the  largest 
of  any  on  board)  and  give  us  a  ditty.'' 

After  the  usual  preliminaries  of  hemming,  &.c.  Tom 
commenced  with  the  famous  pirate  song, :  "My  name  is 
Captain  Kid,"  &.c.  It  is  probably  known  to  the  reader 
that  this  song  has  about  twenty  verses,  and  it  was  roared 
out  by  the  stentorian  lungs  of  Tom  to  the  no  small  sat- 
isiiitction  of  many  in  the  forecastle.  He  had  scarcely 
finished  the  last  verse  when  this  Saturday  night's  glee 
was  broken  up  by  the  shrill  whistle  of  the  boatswain 
summoning  the  larboard  watch  on  dock. 

February  12. — No  change  of  wind  or  weather  occurred 
Rince  the  last  date,  and  with  the  strong  north-east  trade 
wind  we  were  fast  approximating  to  the  westward,  and 
being  now  in  the  parallel  of  Barbadoes^  we  kept  a  bright 
look-out  for  outward  bound  West  Indiamen,  supposing 


MMii 


■pp 


maamn 


but  tli6  last  drop  in 
all  with  thorn  until 
eato,  bound  on  tlie 
fht  her  own  battles. 

out  his  allowunco 
orn,  and  after  toai>i- 
)xpressing  a  lu'orty 
we  got  into  Boston 
sgroo  of  salisfuciion 
tlio  larboard  side  of 
111  sailors  who  had 
tiiclusioii  of  which 

days  I  shall  be  in 

iting  Scotch  sailor, 
ho  top  of  his  head 
t!y  overhauling  his 
1  iiorwesfer  or  twa 
in  Boston,  mon." 
(er,  and  let's  take 
lion;"  bawled  out 
nlinued  he  to  Tom 
opening  of  yours 
ay,  was  the  largest 

ernming,  &c.  Tom 
ang, :  "My  name  is 
nown  to  the  reader 
s,  and  it  was  roared 
o  the  no  small  sat- 
He  had  scarcely 
:urday  night's  glee 
i  of  the  boatswain 
ick. 

•r  weather  occurred 
ng  north-east  trade 
the  westward,  and 
IS,  we  kept  a  bright 
diamen,  supposing 


LIFE   ON   THE   OCKAIf. 


m 


weshould  cross  thoirtrack  while  they  were  rurmingdown 
to  the  islands;  as  it  is  known  thut  tlx'so  vessels  gone* 
rally  get  in  the  latitude  of  the  island  to  which  they  are 
bound,  and  then  riui  down  the  longitude  until  they 
make  it.  It  was  not  our  good  l()rtinie,  however,  to 
fall  in  with  any  of  these  vessels  until  the  morning  of 
the  17th,  whei.  a  sail  was  seeji  far  to  the  westward  of 
us.  As  she  l)ov(!  (iirwurd  of  the  heuin,  and  appeared  to 
be  steering  away  to  tlie  westward,  we  sliortt;no(l  sail 
and  hove  to.  As  .*oon,  however,  iis  she  was  suliicicntly 
near  to  see  our  co  ors,  whicji  were  hoisted  at  the  fore- 
royalmast-headjshu  hauled  her  wind  and  made  sail  from 
us.  Chase  was  iinmc.'iiUely  given,  and  in  tliree  hours 
wo  overhauled  her,  wiit  n  she  jmned  to  l)e  the  brig 
Susan,  of  New  London,  Capt.  Trask,  bound  to  Marti- 
niriue,  widi  a  cargo  of  V.wikee  notions,  such  as  jKitatoes, 
onions,  cheese,  bread,  A-c  iVc.  all  of  which  we  so  much 
needed.  Boarding  her,  \v<' (iiund  the  raptain  in  a  veiy 
unpleasant  humor ;  atler  stating  to  him  our  situation,  and 
ofTcring  him  any  price  for  the  articles  wc  wanted,  he 
refused  to  sell  or  give  us  any,  alleging  that  they  were 
all  stowed  aviy  in  tho  hol(l,  and  that  he  would  not 
break  open  his  hatches.  This  report  was  made  to  Capt. 
W.  who  immediately  sent  the  second  cilHcer  with  orders 
to  tender  the  money  to  the  captain  in  the  presence  of 
his  mate  and  crew,  and  if  he  still  rel'used,to  break  open 
tho  hatches,  take  what  articles  we  notujilly  stood  in  need 
of,  in  the  presence  of  his  crew,  and  then  to  let  our  men 
restow  his  cargo,  caulk  down  the  hatches,  stow  his 
boat,  «kc.  When  the  money  was  offered  to  the  captain 
he  refused  to  accept  of  it.  Tho  orders  were  promptly 
executed,  during  which  time  tho  captain  made  frequent 
threats  of  protesting,  as  he  said,  against  this  outrage. 
At  3  p.  M.  our  supplies,  boats,  &c.  were  all  hoisted  in, 
and  in  a  few  minutes  she  was  again  on  her  north-'west 
course  under  a  press  of  canvas,  and  soon  lost  sight  of 
the  brig  Susan  and  her  surly  commander. 

FTebruary  18. — The  sun  rose  this  morning  with  un- 
common splendor  and  bnlUancy,  no  clouds  intervening 


gg 


mim^- 


174 


LIFE   ON  THE   OCEAN. 


to  form  curved  or  irregular  lines  to  break  the  clear  and 
well-defined  horizon,  from  beneath  which  this  glorious 
orb  ascended  majestically,  to  perform  his  diurnafroand, 
describing  most  minutely  the  limbs  as  he  rapidly  ad- 
vanced into  the  azure  vault  above ;  this  magnificent 
sight,  which  had  afibrded  me  so  much  delight  in  its  first 
exhibition,  while  crossing  the  north-east  trade  winds, 
outward  bound,  had  nov/  lost  much  of  its  interest  from 
the  frequency  in  which  the  same  scene  had  been  viewed 
during  this  long  voyage.  Indeed,  from  the  reflections 
which  constantly  occupied  my  mind  at  this  time,  I 
was  brought  to  the  conclusion  that  the  grandeur  and 
sublimity  of  a  sun-rising  scene  on.  the  land  was  superior 
to  that  on  the  ocean,  because  of  the  accompanying  beau- 
ties, such  as  landscape,  singing  of  birds,  &c.  While  I 
stood  gazing  on  this  scene,  how  perfectly  symbolical, 
thought  I,  is  the  diurnal  round  of  this  planet  to  that  of 
man's  life !  how  rapidly  does  it  ascend  in  the  morning, 
nor  slacken  its  pace  until  near  the  meridian ;  then  slowly 
descending  until  it  reaches  its  midway  distance  to  the 
western  horizon,  when  its  velocity  is  quickened,  and 
with  almost  the  rapidity  of  thought  she  vanishes  from 
the  keenest  vision. 

Here,  then,  are  more  than  two  years  of  my  life  passed 
away  on  the  ocean,  and  to  my  imagination  it  seems  but 
as  a  day;  and  yet  it  is  gone,  and  If  am  now  in  my 
twentieth  year,  with  all  the  buoyancy  of  youth  in  the 
morning  of  life.  What  my  meridian,  decline,  or  exit  may 
be  is  yet  in  futurity ;  at  all  events  my  reflections  on  the 
past  two  years  are  not  altogether  of  an  unpleasant  cha- 
racter. I  have  advanced  in  the  knowledge  of  seamanrhip 
and  navigation  as  much  as  could  be  expected  in  one  voy- 
age, i  have  also  cultivated  the  good  will  of  the  officers 
and  crew,  and  sincerely  hope  I  have  been  of  some  ser- 
vice to  one  true-hearted,  illiterate  sailor.  I  have  also  the 
satis&ction  to  know  that  those  habits  which  are  some- 
times imbibed  in  the  forecastle  have  not  been  contracted 
.by  me,  although  I  confess  I  am  not  proof  against  those 


HI 


AN.  , 

break  the  clear  and 
which  this  glorious 
n  his  diurnaf  roand, 
)s  as  he  rapidly  ad- 
e;  this  magnificent 
ch  delight  in  its  first 
th-east  trade  winds, 
1  of  its  interest  from 
3ne  had  been  viewed 
from  the  reflections 
ind  at  this  time,  I 
It  the  grandeur  and 
he  land  was  superior 
accompanying  beau- 
birds,  <fcc.  While  I 
perfectly  symbolical, 
this  planet  to  that  of 
end  in  the  morning, 
eridian ;  then  slowly 
[way  distance  to  the 
y  is  quickened,  and 
t  she  vanishes  from 

ars  of  my  life  passed 
jination  it  seems  but 
I  Jf  am  now  in  my 
ticy  of  youth  in  the 
,  decline,  or  exit  may 
ny  reflections  on  the 
'  an  unpleasant  cha* 
rledge  of  seaman?  hip 
expected  in  one  voy- 
d  will  of  the  officers 
m  been  of  some  ser- 
lor.  I  have  also  the 
'its  which  are  some- 
not  been  contracted 
proof  against  those 


LIFE   ON  TBB   OCEAN. 


175 


influences  more  than  young  men  generally  are.  With 
these  reflections,  therefore,  I  considered  my  futiare  pros- 
pects to  be  somewhat  flattering. 

In  running  up  our  latitude  to  the  northward,  indica- 
tions of  changes  in  the  atmosphere  began  to  be  manifest, 
and  as  it  was  highly  probable  we  should  soon  have  to 
change  our  stations  fi-om  the  tops  to  the  deck,  and  Jack 
Sawyer  being  aware  of  this,  said  he  would  spin  out  the 
remainder  of  his  yarn  to-night,  as  it  was  our  first  watch 
on  deck.  As  soon,  therefore,  as  the  last  dbg- watch-  had 
ended,  and  the  watch  was  relieved,  we  went  up  to  our 
station  in  the  foretop,  when  Jack  concluded  his  narra- 
tive as  follows : 

"You  may  be  sure,  I  did  not  stay  long  in  Boston,  so 
after  inquiring  about  for  my  uncle,  I  found  out  that  he 
and  his  wife  had  slipped  their  moorings,  and  then  I 
could  hear  nothing  of  their  two  children  ;  so  as  there 
was  nothing  further  for  me  to  do,  a\vay  I  staits  for 
Marblehead  to  look  out  for  poor  old  moth*  •  and  sister. 
Well,  I  soon  got  down  there,  and  was  v  aid  to  ask 
about  them,  for  somehow  or  other,  I  had  a  kind  of  fore- 
boding, that  old  mam  was  under  hatches ;  and  sure 
enough  the  very  first  question  I  asked  was  of  an  old 
man — but  I  didn't  tell  him  who  I  was.  'Well,'  says  I, 
■'daddy,  do  you  know  one  Mrs.  Sawyer  living  about 
these  parts  V  'Know  her,'  said  he,  'that  I  did,  but  she 
died  about  six  years  ago,  and  her  daughter  Betsy  didn't 
live  long  afterwards ;  but  Nancy  Sawyer  married,  two 
years  ago,  to  a  clever  farmer,  and  now  lives  in  Worces- 
ter.' ^hen  clapping  a  pair  of  peepers  over  his  nose,  and 
Uilting  a  long  squint  at  my  phiz,  he  said,  'I  could  almort 
swear  you  are  Mrs.  Sawyer's  son  Jack,  but  that  we  heard 
he  was  killed  aboard  of  a  British  man-of-war  fighting 
the  Spaniards.'  'Give  me  your  hand  old  gentleman — 
no,  he  was  not  killed,  for  here  he  stands  before  yourthat 
selfsame  Jack  Saw^yer,  what's  left  of  him.'  'And  a  good 
deal  more  is  added  to  you  smce  I  saw  you  last,'  con- 
tinued the  old  man. 

During  the  latter  part  of  this  narration.,  I  perceived 


^. 


V*;l 


if:. 


it 


176 


LIFE   ON  THE   OCEAN. 


the  voice  of  poor  Jack  to  faulter,  for  whenever  he  spoke 
of  his  mother,  the  feelings  of  his  nature  quite  over- 
powered  him. 

'Well,  I  went  home  with  the  old  man,  spun  him  my 
yarn,  and  he  in  return  gave  me  an  account  of  everything 
that  had  taken  place  since  I  had  been  away.  So  I  slept 
there  that  night,  and  the  next  morning  I  started  for 
"Worcester.  Ifou  may  be  sure  I  was  not  long  in  getting 
there.  I  soon  found  out  Nancy,  but  she  didn't  know 
me  when  I  met  herj  and  I  didn't  much  recollect  her ; 
but  when  I  told  her  I  was  her  own  brother  Jack,  she 
jumped,  cried  and  laughed,  all  in  one  breoth,  and  then 
threw  her  arins  around  niy  neck  and  there  we  was  about 
half  a  glass,  blubbering  like  two  young  babies.  So 
after  we  got  cooled  oil'.  Ave  sat  down,  and  each  of  us  told 
all  that  had  taken  place  during  our  long  separation. 
'Now,  Nancy,'  says  1,  '1  have  stowed  away  a  few 
shiners,  and  as  ]X)or  old  mother  is  gone,  and  I've  got  no 
other  relation  but  yourself,  we'll  just  divide  them,  be- 
tween us.'  So  1  hauled  out  my  bag,  which  had  just 
eighty  golden  guirieas  in  it,  I  emptied  them  all  on  the 
table,  and  v/ith  m;-  hand  I  sciaped  off  her  part,  and 
shoved  them  towards  her.  There,'  says  I,  Hake  them 
and.  much  good  may  they  do  you.'  'Bless  me,'  said 
she,  'Jack,  you  have  given  me  most  all  of  them.'  'Never 
mind  that,'  said  I;  Tve  got  enough  here  to  pay  my 
shot  on  to  Boston,  and  have  a  cruise  besides;  and  when 
this  is  gone,  why  then  do  ye  see,  I'll  go  to  sea  for 
more.'  Well,  I  staid  with  Nancy  about  a  week,  her 
husband  was  a  clever  sort  of  a  green-horn,  for  he  axed 
me  one  day  while  we  was  eating  dinner,  if  sailors  didn't 
eat  with  plates,  cups,  saucers,  knives  and  forks.  I 
soon  got  tired,  and  now,  says  I,  'Nancy,  I'm  off.'  So 
the  next  day  my  dunnage  was  all  packed  up,  and  I  bid 
Nancy  and  her  husband  good-bye,  and  away  I  goes  to 
Boston.  Well  I  had  a  bit  of  a  "cruise  there  and  then  I 
shipped  in  the  States'  sarvice  for  a  three  years  cruise  -, 
since  that  time  I  have  sailed  in  the  merchant  sarvice  till 
I  fell  in  with  thi?  ship,  and  now  you  know  the  rest 
messmate.^' 


~'^iiiii^ 


■Ml 


litm 


lim 


ttmmm 


MHW 


^^Hgt    "  ""• ' 


if 


AN. 

•  whenever  he  spoke 
nature  quite  over- 
man, spun  him  my 
ccount  of  everything 
en  away.    So  I  slept 
orning  I  started  for 
s  not  long  in  getting 
but  she  didn't  know 
much  recollect  her ; 
m  brother  Jack,  she 
one  breoth,  and  then 
d  there  we  was  about 


youn 


a:  babies.     So 


1, 


nd  each  of  us  told 
Dur  long  separation, 
towed  away  a  few 
:>ne,  and  I've  got  no 
list  divide  them,  be- 
Avliich  had  just 
plied  tliem  all  on  the 
ed  off  her  part,  and 
e,'  says  I,  'take  them 
1.'  'Bless  me,'  said 
alloftliem.'  'Never 
is,'h  here  to  pay  my 
3  besides ;  and  when 
;,  I'll  go  to  sea  for 
r  about  a  week,  her 
len-horu,  for  he  axed 
nner,  if  sailors  didn't 
nives  and  forks.  I 
Nancy,  I'm  off.'  So 
packed  up,  and  I  bid 
,  and  away  I  goes  to 
lise  therfc  and  then  I 
a  three  years  cruise ; 
merchant  sar\ace  till 
you  know  the  rest 


LIFB  ON  THE  COBAir. 


m 


February  24. — During  the  preceding  days  nothing  of 
importance  transpired;  on  the  29A,  however,  it  being 
Washington's  birth-day,  it  was  spent  much  in  the  same 
way  as  de.cribed  in  a  preceding  part  of  this  work. 
We  were  now  drawing  up  toward  the  parallel  of  variable 
winds,  being  in  the  latitude  of  28°  north,  and  60°  west 
longitude,  by  observation ;  the  temperature  of  the  weather 
had  become  cooler,  reminding  us  of  the  necessity  of  get- 
ting our  Cape  Horn  dunnage  in  order,  so  as  to  meet  the 
attacks  of  the  north-easters  in  Boston  Bay. 

A  sailor  is  literally  "Jack  of  all  trades,"  for  you  might 
have  seen  in  the  forecastle,  at  this  time,  a  variety  of 
them  in  operation  ;  such  as  making  and  mending  shoes 
and  boots,  some  of  which  had  been  long  Ihrown  aside, 
cutting  out  jackets  and  trowsers,  what  they  technically 
call  south-westers,  all  of  which,  it  was  presumed,  we 
should  have  occasion  for.  In  this  expectation  we  were 
not  disappointed ;  for,  in  reaching  the  parallel  of  Ber- 
muda, the  weather  became  squally  and  cold,  and  we 
were  glad  to  put  on  extra  clothing.  The  crew  were 
much  affected  by  this  change  of  weather;  the  reason, 
however,  is  obvious ;  for  more  than  a  year  and  a  half 
we  had  either  been  under  the  tropics  or  near  the  equi- 
nocti?!  line,  consequently  had  become  enervated  and 
unable  to  resist  the  attacks  of  cold. 

Febritary  28. — We  were  now  to  the  northward  of  the 
gulf-stroam,  and  during  the  last  few  days  the  weather 
was  boisterous  and  squally,  especially  in  crossing  the 
stfeam-  This  d&y  the  wind  was  to  the  eastward,  with 
rain.  Spoke  sevpral  vessels  outward  bound.  At  sunset 
the  wind  haulss'  '  the  southward,  which  gave  us  a  slant 
along  sUore,  auc  although  it  blew  exceedingly  haiti, 
nevertheless,  shtj  was  driven  along  hj  a  press  of  canvas, 
it  being  necessary  to  improve  this  wind,  because,  at  this 
season  of  the  year  it  wu?  sure  to  be  followed  by  a  north- 
wester. V  8  p.  M.  the  wind  increased  to  a  gale;  loyal 
and  top-§allant  yards  were  sent  down,  and  the  royal- 
roast  housed,  close-reefed  the  topsails,  farled  the  mizzen- 
topsail,  mainsail,  jib  and  spanker.  At  midnight  it  blew 
16 


V  ■^rtiwiK•^%^j■■g^j^aB■uijMg.'^-, 


178 


LIFE   Oy  THE   OCEAN. 


if 


^■ 


a  severe  gale,  attended  with  rain,  thunder  and  lightning 
from  the  north-western  board ;  clewed  up  the  fore-top- 
sail and  furled  it.  the  ship  being  now  under  close-reefed 
main-topsails  and  staysails.  At  1  a.  m.  the  wind  lulled, 
and  then  the  hoarse  but  distinct  voice  of  my  old  friend,  the 
second  officer,  shouted ;  "Clew  up  the  main-topsail  and 
furl  it."  No  time  was  lost  in  executing  this  order.  We 
sprang  aloft  on  the  yard  and  gathered  up  the  sail,  and 
had  scarcely  reached  the  deck  when  the  terrific  north- 
wester struck  her.  We  were  prepared  for  this  attack  by 
having  previously  put  the  ship's  head  on  the  starboard 
tack  at  midnight.  So  violent  was  the  gust,  that  for  a 
few  minutes  she  lay  gunwale  under,  nearly  motionless. 
In  an  hour  the  fury  of  the  gale  uad  subsided  and  settled 
into  a  steady  but  hard  north-wester. 

At  4  A.  M.  set  close-reofed  fare  and  main-topsails  and 
foresail ;  with  ihi^  short  sail,  however,  we  coixld  do  little 
more  than  hold  our  position.  The  gale  continued  to  blow 
with  violence  three  days,  at  the  expiration  of  which,  on 
the  morning  of  March  2d,  the  wind  veered  to  the  west- 
ward, which  gave  us  a  fine  slant,  having  made  our 
westing  previous  to  the  comm*  if'ement  of  the  gale. 
During  the  whole  of  the  formjr  ^  dirt  of  this  voyage,! 
never  knew  the  ship  to  groan  so  heavily  as  under  the 
severe  press  of  canvas  which  was  now  carried  on  her. 

March  4. — From  the  meridian  observation  this  day, 
and  the  position  in  which  the  ship  was  judged  to  be  by 
the  last  lunar  observation.  Block  Island  bore  north-west, 
twenty  miles  distant ;  no  land  was  in  sight,  however, 
fi'om  the  mast-head.  We  continued  our  course  north- 
wardly, edging  a  little  to  the  westward,  and  at  4  p.  m. 
got  soundings.  As  we  continued  our  course  along  we 
^ladually  changed  the  character  of  the  soundings  from 
mud  to  sand,  which  evidently  indicated  that  we  were 
approaching  Nantucket  south  shoals. 

On  the  morning  of  the  5th,  the  soundings  having  now 
changed  firom  sand  to  shells,  as  indicated  by  the  lead,  it 
showed  that  we  were  approaching  George's.  At  8  a.  m. 
kept  the  ship  to  the  noithward,  and  ran  along  widi  a 


KijimiMilrt-ff'i  ■  «■'""' -«-^- 


N, 


LIFE   ON  THE   OCEAN. 


179 


nder  and  lightning 
ed  up  the  fore- top- 
under  close-reefed 
M.  the  wind  lulled, 
of  my  old  friend,  the 
le  main-topsail  and 
ing  this  order.    We 
ed  up  the  sail,  and 
the  terrific  north- 
sd  for  this  attack  by- 
ad  on  the  starboard 
the  gust,  that  for  a 
,  nearly  motionless, 
ubsided  and  settled 

1  main-topsails  and 
r,  we  could  do  little 
e  continued  to  blow 
ration  of  which,  on 
veered  to  the  west- 
having  made  our 
"jment  of  the  gale, 
irt  of  this  voyage,  1 
eavily  as  under  the 
low  carried  on  her. 
)servation  this  day, 
iras  judged  to  be  by 
nd  bore  north-west, 
in  sight,  however, 
1  our  course  north- 
ard,  and  at  4  p.  m. 
ur  course  along  we 
:he  soundings  from 
:ated  that  we  were 

ndings  having  now 
:ated  by  the  lead,  it 
eorge's.  At  8  a.  m. 
d  ran  along  with  a 


light  breeze  from  west-south-west.   At  7  p.  m.  saw  Chat- 
ham light,  being  at  this  lime  nearly  abreast  of  i  -    The 
breeze  continuing  light,  we  ran  along  until  2  a.  m.  then 
jv  'ging  ourselves  up  with  Race  Point,  hauled  in  to  the 
northward  and  westward  for  the  bay.    In  the  morning, 
at  daylight,  saw  the  low  sand  hills  of  Cape  Cod,  bear- 
ing on  the  beam,  and  before  us  lay  the  broad  bay  of 
Massachusetts.    One  or  two  small  vessels  were  in  sight, 
and  as  we  ran  along  they  presently  multiplied-,  and 
here  and  there  might  be  seen  various  descriptions  of 
vessels,  some  standing  on  a  wind  and  others  before  it. 
It  was  a  scene  of  much  interest  to  us,  having  had  so 
long  a  passage,  and  with  the  exception  of  the  English 
fleet,  seen  off  the  Cape  of  Good  Hope,  we  had  fallen  in 
with  but  one  vessel  for  nearly  six  mouths.    All  was 
now  excitement  ou  board,  and  preparations  were  made 
for  entering  Boston  harbor  in  ship-shape  order.     For 
the  last  time,  we  holy-stoned  the  decks,  cleaned  the  ship 
fore  and  aft,  above  and  below.     The  high  land  of  Cape 
Ai?'i  and  the  rocks  of  Cohasset  were  now  in  sight ;  in- 
deed, the   scenes  which   were  multiplying  around  us, 
produced  additional  interest  and  excitement,  for  we  were 
now  approaching  our  homes.     At  9  a.  m.  saw  the  land 
about  Hiugham,  and  as  we  approached  Cape  Ann,  took 
a  pilot  on  board.     Nothing  could  exceed  the  joy  which 
sparkled  in  the  countenances  of  the  crew  when  the  pilot 
stepped  upon  our  deck ;  every-  order  was  executed  with 
astonishing  rapidity,  and   we  considered   ourselves  as 
having  almost  arrived  at  the  summit  of  that  pleasure 
and  happiness  contemplated  by  us  for  so  many  months — 
reaching  our  native  land. 

The  ship  was  gliding  along  at  the  raie  of  five  knots, 
although  the  breeze  was  light,  and  yet  to  me  she  never 
appealed  to  drag  through  the  water  so  heavily.  As  we 
were  now  in  a  position  for  telegraphic  view,  the  fore- 
royal  was  lowered  down  and  the  signal  hoisted,  so  that 
in  a  short  time  the  owners,  (for  she  had  many,  having 
been  fitted  out  by  a  company  on  shares,)  would  have 
the  welcome  intelligence  of  the  arrival  ot  this  most 


- 


Ui«ik1ki*i0it  ■■  '- 


'**»'gW!«"WWI 


m>^'' 


I  n 


180 


LIFE   ON  THE   OCEAN. 


1^     I 


fortunate  ship  with  her  rich  cargo ;  and  as  the  news  of 
our  coming  would  soon  be  known,  there  would  be  no 
small  stir  among  the  land  sharks,  and  the  keepers  of 
sailor  boarding  houses ;  doubtless  they  calculated  to 

gull  poor  Jack  out  of  the  greater  part  of  his  two  and  a 
alf  years'  earnings.  Already  the  ship  was  literally  sur- 
rounded with  boats,  filled  with  these  gentry,  who  with 
soft  words  and  pleasant  looks  were  now  handing  over 
to  :he  sailors  bottles  of  rum"^,  which  they  had  managed 
to  keep  out  of  sight  of  the  officers ;  but  it  would  not  do 
among  this  ship's  company,  for  they  were  in  general 
different  men  now  to  what  they  were  Avhen  they  left 
Boston ;  and  I  was  not  a  little  pleased  to  see  that  Jack 
Sawyer  withstood  all  the  wheedling  pretensions  of  these 
hypocritical  fellows.  Orders  were  now  given  to  clear 
the  K!iip  of  every  man  who  did  not  belong  to  her,  and 
cast  off  all  the  boats. 

In  one  hour  and  a  half,  with  the  same  breeze,  we 
should  either  be  to  an  anchor  in  the  harbor,  or  made  fast 
alongside  of  Indiu  wharf.  The  guns  were  sponged  and 
loaded  in  readiness  for  a  salute,  and  the  hands  were 
turned  up  to  strip  the  yards  and  mast-heads  of  their 
bandages.  We  sprung  aloft  and  very  soon  you  might 
have  heard  those  from  the  mast-head,  singing  out,"stand 
from  under!"  Down  went  mats,  leathers,  parcelling, 
battens,  tail  and  jewel  blocks,  and  in  a  {gw  mmutes  she 
presented  as  neat  a  set  of  mast-heads  and  spars,  as  ever 
graced  a  ship  coming  into  port  after  a  voyage  of  two 
years  and  a  half.  The  decks  being  now  perfectly  clear 
and  clean,  short  ranges  of  both  cables  were  overhauled, 
and  every  preparation  was  made  for  coming  to.  The 
ship  was  now  skimming  along  gracefully  with  studding- 
isails  set,  passing  the  islands,  which  form  a  very  narrow 
channel ;  but  it  was  a  matter  of  no  moment  to  us,  as 
we  had  a  i^r  wind.  At  length  the  last  island  was 
passed,  and  the  castle  and  hospital  were  distinctly 
seen.  The  royals  and  studding-sails  were  now  taken 
in,  and  with  colors  flying  fore  and  aft  she  ran  up  the 
hwbor  until  nearly  abreast  of  India  wharf,  when  every 


.>^  - iin'iMiiiari  -  li'iiiiMin' 


UFB   ON  THE   OCEAN. 


181 


nd  as  the  news  of 
lere  would  be  no 
d  the  keepers  of 
ley  calculated  to 
of  his  two  and  a 
)  was  literally  sur- 
gentry,  who  with 
ow  handing  ov^er 
ley  had  managed 
t  it  would  not  do 
were  in  general 
3  when  they  left 
d  to  see  that  Jack 
etensions  of  these 
»w  given  to  clear 
)elong  to  her,  and 

same  breeze,  we 
rbor,  or  made  fast 
veie  sponged  and 
the  hands  were 
st-heads  of  their 
Y  soon  you  might 
nging  out,  "stand 
thers,  parcelling, 
few  minutes  she 
ind  spars,  as  ever 
a  voyage  of  two 
)W  perfectly  clear 
were  overhauled, 
:oming  to.     The 
ly  with  studding- 
m  a  very  narrow 
nomeiit  to  us,  as 
last  island  was 
were  distinctly 
were  now  taken 
It  she  ran  up  the 
larf,  when  everf 


sail  was  clewed  up  at  once,  and  the  anchor  let  go  for 
the  second  time  since  we  left  Whampoa  roads,  say  one 
hundred  and  seventy  days.  The  yards  were  manned, 
sails  furled,  and  a  handsome  salute  of  eig.^teen  guns  was 
fired. 

It  was  not  long  before  our  decks  wore  crowded,  with 
people  ;  custom-house  officers,  <fcc. ;  some  inquiring  for 
their  friends  with  anxious  looks,  which  bespoke  a  secret 
foreboding  that  they  were  not  on  board ;  others  were  anx- 
iously inquiring  after  news,  and  there  were  not  a  few 
sailors  landlords,  who  in  the  most  polite  and  agreeable 
maimer  possible  addressed  our  tars,  as  if  they  had  been 
acquainted  with  them  all  their  life  time,  swearing  that 
they  recognized  them  as  their  old  boarders,  and  using 
every  art  and  i^ersuasion  in  their  jx)wer  to  induce  them 
to  become  so  again.  I  soon  discovered  in  the  crowd, 
tw(i  young  men,  who  were  my  cousins,  and  sons  to 
the  good  old  relative  mentioned  in  the  preceding  part 
of  this  work.  It  was  a  happy  meeting,  although  they 
scarcely  knew  me  at  first,  because  of  the  gieat  alteration 
in  my  appearance.  They  informed  me  that  great  anx- 
iety was  manifested  by  my  friends,  and  especially  by 
my  sister,  as  they  had  heard  but  once  from  the  ship 
since  her  departure  from  Boston.  They  had  received 
the  account  of  the  action  on  the  coast,  and  the  number 
of  the  killed  and  wounded,  but  did  not  learn  their 
names.  The  anchor  was  now  hove  to  the  bows,  and 
the  ship  hauled  into  India  wharf  and  made  fast.  1  soon 
got  myself  in  readiness  by  having  wliat  a  sailor  calls  "a 
go^ashore  wash,"  and  putting  on  an  entire  rig  of  short 
clothes,  securing  my  chest  which  contained  my  Canton 
adventure,  and  obtaining  leave  from  Captain  W.  I  once 
more  set  foot  on  yankee  land,  after  an  absence  of  two 
years  and  four  months. 


16» 


'  'tiimtamtHliitiii 


tmmmtmtiifS 


>:    ■ 


h€ ' , 


CHAPTER  XVI. 

UEETING   with    friends   at   home — LAST  INTERVIEW  WITH  JACK 
BAWTER — SAIL    IKT   THE    SHIP    BALTIC    FOR   RIO    JANEIRO. 

With  my  two  cousins,  I  started  at  a  rapid  pace  for 
the  residence  of  my  friends  in  Roxbury.  Every  object 
I  fell  in  with  induced  a  train  of  reiiections,  which 
called  forth  pleasing  recollections  of  my  school  boy 
days.  Passing  up  State  street,  I  saw  at  the  lower  part 
of  the  Old  State  House,  the  Roxbury,  Dedham  and 
Milton  stages;  I  had  often  rode  behind  the  former 
while  crossing  Roxbury  neck.  There  too  stood  the 
Old  South,  with  its  tall  steeple,  presenting  the  same 
appearance  of  tottering  age  that  it  did  ten  years  be- 
foi'e.  As  it  was  near  five  o'clock,  and  tbis  the  first 
time  I  had  had  my  land  tacks  aboard  for  six  months, 
and  the  distance  being  greater  than  I  felt  disposed  to 
walk,  we  concluded  to  take  our  seats  in  the  Roxbury 
stage,  and  after  a  ride  of  about  fifteen  minutes,  Ave 
landed  before  the  old  family  mansion,  and  I  soon  found 
myself  suiTounded  by  my  friends,  with  my  sister  at  my 
side.  This  interview  vras  such  as  might  have  been  ex- 
pected with  near  and  very  dear  relatives,  on  meeting  after 
a^ separation  of  two  years  and  a  half;  and  every  pjiins 
were  taken  to  render  me  comfortable  and  happy.  Time 
flew  with  golden  wings ;  three  weeks  had  now  pass- 
ed away  smee  my  return,  during  which  I  was  com- 
pelled to  relate  with  minute  exactness  all  the  incidents 
of  the  voyage ;  and  then  the  most  earnest  entreaties 
were  used  to  induce  me  to  give  up  the  hardships  and 
perils  of  a  sea-life,  believing,  as  they  said,  i  must  have 
had  enough  of  it ;  in  this,  however,  they  were  greatly 
mistaken,  for  so  fer  fi-om  my  ardjur  bemg  abated  for 


n'Wirl 


UFB   ON  THE   OOEAV. 


183 


NTCRVIEW  WITH  JACK 
OR   RIO    JANKIRO. 

a  rapid  pace  for 
iry.  Every  object 
reflections,  which 
f  my  school  boy 
IV  at  the  lower  part 
ury,  Dedham  and 
)ehind  the  former 
lere  too  stood  the 
esenting  the  same 
did  ten  years  be- 
an d  this  the  first 
ard  for  six  mouths, 
n  I  felt  disposed  to 
ts  in  the  Roxbury 
fteen  minutes,  we 
,  and  I  soon  found 
ith  my  sister  at  my 
light  have  been  ex- 
es, on  meeting  after 
';  and  every  pjiins 
and  happy.  Time 
iks  had  now  pass- 
(vhich  I  was  com- 
ss  all  the  incidents 
;  eeimest  entreaties 
the  hardships  and 
r  said,  i  must  have 
,  they  were  greatly 
r  being  abated  for 


this  vocation,  li.  was  greatly  increased,  and  my  determi- 
nation settled  down  to  follow  its  pursuits  as  my  future 
calling. 

I  frequently  met  with  my  old  messmate.  Jack  Sawyer, 
and  found  that  his  habits  as  well  as  his  appearance, 
were  altogether  changed.  He  assured  me  that  he  had 
"knocked  off  drinking  grog,  and  had  been  standing  on 
t'other  tack,"  ever  snice  he  came  on  shore :  "there," 
said  he,  offering  me  his  hand  ;  "is  a  hard  fist  and  a 
true  heart;  Jack  Sawyer  is  not  the  man  to  forget  a 
messmate ;  no,  no !  you  have  larnt  me  how  to  read 
and  write,  and  your  advice  has  kept  me  from  mm  shops 
and  other  places,  that  used  to  swamp  all  my  hard-earned 
rhino  when  I  got  on  shore.  Now,  d'ye  see,  I've  got  a 
few  brads  in  my  pocket,  and  what's  better  I've  got  a 
boatswain's  berth  on  board  an  East  Indiaman.  Hark 
ye,"  continued  he,  "so  long  as  you  bang  salt  water, 
here's  wishing  you  may  have  a  tight  ship,  a  leading 
breeze  and  always  be  able  to  eat  your  allowance ;  but  if 
head  winds  and  tbul  weather  thwart  your  hawse,  and 
you  have  to  bear  up  in  distress^  Avhy  then,  you  know 
my  name  is  Jack  Sawyer,  that's  all."  ' 

When  he  had  finished  he  shook  me  heartily  by  the 
hand,  and  turned  away,  evidently  labouring  under  great 
emotion.  After  this  1  saw  him  but  once  more,  and  then 
he  was  going  on  board  the  EavSt  Indiaman,  which  was 
to  sail  the  next  day.  Our  parting  may  be  better  im- 
agined than  described  ;  suffice  it  to  say,  his  heart  was 
too  full  for  utterance,  and  as  he  turned  off,  the  last  sound 
of  his  voice  stnick  full  upon  my  ears,  as  he  murmured 
out,  "Gtod  bless  you  !" 

About  this  time  I  became  acquainted  with  two  young 
men,  who  were  shortly  to  embark  in  the  ship  Baltic, 
for  Rio  de  Janeiro,  intending  to  establish  a  commission 
house  in  that  place.  They  had  chartered  the  ship,  and 
the  cargo  was  of  their  own  procuring,  consequently 
consigned  to  them.  The  ship  was  nearly  ready  for  sea, 
and  they  urged  me  to  seek  for  a  berth  on  board  of  her  as 
second  mate.  I  did  not  however  think  myself  suffi- 
ciently qualified  for  the  station,  but  they  wore  urgent. 


i  ■irrr-nnt'iii'^- 


194 


LIFE   ON  THE   OCEAN. 


m>^  introduced  me  to  Captain  L.  the  commander  of  the 
,B;-.;ic,  with  whom  they  were  well  acquainted.  After 
some  conversation  with  hitn  as  to  my  pretensions,  &.c. 
for  the  place,  I  produced  my  recommendation  from 
Captain  W.  when  it  was  settled  that  I  should  have  the 
berth,  at  the  wages  of  twenty-fiv  dollars  per  month, 
and  that  I  must  immediately  repair  on  board  to  enter 
upon  the  duties  of  my  station.  This  being  settled, 
my  friends  were  soon  made  acquainted  with  the  ar- 
rangement, and  the  necessary  preparations  were  made 
lor  a  second  voyage,  such  as  getting  my  sea  dunnage 
in  order,  &.c.  I  purchased  a  small  adventure  suitable  to 
that  market,  and  with  my  Canton  adventure,  which 
I  had  not  sold,  amounted  ni  all  to  about  three  hundred 
dollars. 

On  the  3d  of  April,  1810, 1  repaired  on  board  with  my 
dunnage,  &.c.  and  was  introduced  to  the  chief  mate, 
Mr.  R,  whom  I  though*  to  be  (on  first  acquaintance)  a 
very  clever  fellow.  I  very  soon  found  out  that  the 
second  officer  on  board  of  this  ship  had  not  quite  so 
easy  u  berth  as  in  the  Dromo.  We  expected  to  be  ready 
for  sea  in  two  or  three  days,  and  the  crew  were  shipped, 
amounting  in  all  to  fourteen  souls,  viz.  the  captain,  first 
and  second  officers,  cook,  steward,  eight  men  and  one 
boy  before  the  mast.  On  the  5th  of  May,  the  cargo 
was  completed  and  the  ship  was  in  readiness  for  sea. 
Our  destination  was  to  Rio  de  Janeiro,  and  from  thence 
to  the  island  Tristan  d'Acunha ;  here  the  ship  was  to 
land  Mr.  Jonathan  Lambert — who  had  taken  passage 
with  us  for  the  purpose  of  settling  on  that  island — and 
take  off  some  men  who  had  been  there  for  some  time 
sealing,  together  with  whatever  skins  they  might  have 
procured ;  the  ship  was  then  to  return  to  Rio  and  load 
for  Boston.  As  this  was  the  last  day  of  our  stay  in  port, 
I  went  to  Roxbury  and  took  an  affectionate  leave  of  all 
my  firiends. 

Next  morning,  April  6th,  the  pilot  and  all  hands  were 
on  board,  together  with  the  passengers,  three  in  number, 
two  of  whom  were  the  young  gentlemen  before  men- 
tioned.   At  9  A.  M.  loosed  the  sails,  sheeted  home  the 


■I- 


r-'tiitlii'riliiiiiHii 


^'  h  linfirtt-iriiiiiii 


commander  of  the 
acquainted.  After 
y  pretensions,  &.c. 
mmendation  from 
I  should  have  the 
loliars  per  month, 

on  board  to  enter 
'his  being  settled, 
inted  with  the  ar- 
rations  were  made 
ig  my  sea  dunnage 
venture  suitable  to 

adventure,  which 
)out  three  hundred 

on  board  with  my 
to  the  chief  mate, 
rst  acquaintance)  a 
)Und   out  that  the 

had  not  quite  so 
xpected  to  be  ready 
crew  were  shipped, 
iz.  the  captain,  first 
eight  men  and  one 
of  May,  the  cargo 
a  readiness  for  sea. 
ro,  and  from  thence 
re  the  ship  was  to 
had  taken  passage 
m  that  island — and 
there  for  some  time 
US  they  might  have 
am  to  Rio  and  load 
J  of  our  stay  in  port, 
jtionate  leave  of  all 

and  all  hands  were 
rs,  three  in  number, 
tlemen  before  men- 
it  sheeted  home  the 


LIFE   ON   THE   OCKAN. 


lli 


topsails  and  top-gallantsttu.^,  overhauled  a  short  range  of 
caole,  cast  off  the  fasts  fi-f.m  th»»  wharf,  and  in  a  few 
minutes  we  were  under  way,  standing  out  of  Boston 
harbour,  with  a  light  breeze  from  the  northward.  When 
a  few  yards  from  the  wharf,  the  customary  three  cheers 
were  given  by  our  crew,  which  was  resiK)udod  to  by  the 
crowd  on  the  wharf.  Studding-sails  were  now  set  below 
;i(ul  aloft,  and  as  the  beautiful  view  of  Boston  receded, 
1  gazed  ii'^Mii  its  magnificent  buildings  and  taU  spires 
with  I 
rien< 


somewhat  sinnlar  to  those  wliich  I  expe 
iiy  last  voyage,  although   I  had  now  t?  ,• 
privii  '^ing  the  quarter  deck  with  a  handk  r » 

my  11  the  distinctive  apj)ellation  of  "second 

dicke  sailors.    The  wind  hauling  to  the  east- 

ward, ;in»  li  .red  in  Nantasket  Roads.  While  hero 
every  necessary  preparation  was  made  hx  sea,  such  as 
lashing  spars,  water  casks,  «fcc.  and  getting  on  chafing 
gear.  At  8  p.  m.  the  watches  were  chosen  as  described 
m  a  former  part  of  this  work ;  this  being  over,  the  crew 
were  addressed  by  the  captain  in  the  following  words, 
a  fair  specimen  of  a  sailor's  lingo  : 

"Well,  men,  here  we  are  stowed  away  in  this  ship 
for  a  six  or  eight  months'  cruise  ;  all  of  you  have  shipped 
im  able  seamen;  if  you  do  your  duty  without  grumbling 
you  will  find  me  an  easy  going-along-chap,  but  if  you're 
a  set  of  lubberly  greenhorns,  why  then  you'll  just  have 
a  hell  upon  earth  on  board  of  this  ship.  And  hark  ye," 
said  he,  significantly  pointing  to  Mr.  R.  "this  is  my 
chief  mate,"  and  then  pointing  to  me,  "this  is  my  second 
mate ;  just  recollect  that.     That's  all — go  below." 

The  watch  was  now  set,  and  as  I  had  the  last  dog- 
watch from  6  to  8,  of  course  I  had  some  time  to  reflect 
upon  the  character  of  the  man  under  whose  command  I 
was  brought  to  perform  the  duties  appertaining  to  the 
voyage ;  indeed  my  opinion  of  him  haa  been  pretty  well 
settled  before  I  heard  his  address  to  the  crew.  Oapt. 
L.  was  a  man  of  about  forty-five  years  of  age,  a  thorough 
bred  seaman,  of  limited  education,  coarse  and  blunt  m 
his  manners,  and  as  may  be  seen  firom  his  speech, 


i< »i«liHHr 'r-**' 


186 


LIFE   ON   THE   OCEAN. 


(lemandod  every  respect  for  himself  and  officers.  He 
wns  not  the  one  to  make  any  allowance  if  a  man  was 
nut  able  to  perform  the  duty  he  shipped  for.  Now  as 
the  second  mate  of  a  merchant  ship  ousht  to  be  as  active 
and  as  good  a  seaman  as  any  on  board,  of  course,  I  did 
not  fuel  quite  at  oaso  with  a  man  of  Capt.  L's  peculiar 
temperament  to  scrutinize  my  capabilities  ;  however,  I 
was  resolved  to  do  the  best  I  could,  and  make  up  in 
activity  whatever  I  might  bo  deficient  in  seamanship. 
Mr.  R.  the  chief  mate,  was  about  thirty  years  of  age, 
diametrically  opposite  in  his  character  to  Capt.  h.  He 
was  a  man  ot  education  but  not  much  of  a  seaman ; 
pleasant  and  ugrccabic  in  his  manners,  but  exceedingly 
slow  in  his  naovcmcnis,  just  SjUcIi  a  one  as  commands 
but  little  respect  from  a  sailor.  As  I  have  described  the 
duty  appertaining  to  the  officers  of  a  merchant  vossel  in 
the  preceding  part  of  this  work,  I  shall  hero  merely  state 
my  ^londition  and  the  duties  I  had  to  jxjrforni  aboard 
of  this  ship.  In  tiie  first  place  the>',  my  situation  as 
second  mate,  was  a  kind  of  betwixt-ajid-betwocu,  scarce- 
ly considered  by  the  sailors  as  an  officer,  and  in  the  es- 
timation of  the  captain  entitled  to  but  little  more  respect 
than  a  foremast  hand ;  of  course  my  own  conduct  must 
determine  my  future  jwsition.  The  duty  devolving  on 
me  was,  first,  the  care  of  all  the  spare  rigging,  junk, 
spun-yarn,  blocks,  nuirlinspikes,  marlin.  Sec.  «fcc.-,  so 
that  whenever  any  of  these  are  wanting  it  was  neces- 
sary 1  should  be  able  to  put  my  hands  on  them  at  once. 
In  reefing  topsails  I  must  always  be  the  first  man  at  the 
weather-earing,  and  in  furling,  always  in  the  bunt,  this 
being  the  place  of  an  able  seaman.  There  is  no  surer 
mark  of  a  lubberly  second  mate  than  to  let  any  man  on 
board  get  out  to  the  weather-taring  before  him,  or  to  be 
on  the  quarter  of  the  yard  when  furling  the  courses  or 
topsails.  In  a  word,  my  duty  was  like  that  of  a  boat- 
swain, not  only  to  take  care  of  the  spare  rigging,  blocks, 
&C.  but  also  to  look  out  that  the  standing  rigging  did 
not  get  chafed,  and  especially  to  report  whenever  a  yard 
or  mast  was  sprung  or  defective.    It  was  my  duty,  in 


"sriT" 


;an. 


)lf  and  offlcers.    He 

wanco  if  a  man  was 
liipjied  for.    Now  as 

ought  to  be  as  active 
mm,  of  course,  I  did 
f  Capt.  L's  peculiar 
ibilitios ;  however,  I 
iild,  and  make  up  in 
cient  in  seamansnip. 
t  thirty  years  of  age, 
ctor  to  Ciipt.  L.    He 

nuich  of  ft  seaman  •, 
lors,  but  exceedingly 
I  a  one  as  commands 

I  have  described  the 

a  merchant  vessel  in 
liall  here  merely  state 
id  to  |)erforni  aboard 
iei«,  my  situation  as 

aud-botween,  scarce- 
officer,  and  in  the  es- 
Dut  little  more  respect 
ly  own  conduct  must 
be  duty  devolving  on 

spare  rigging,  junk, 
marlin.  Sec.  dec;  so 
ranting  it  was  neces- 
inds  on  them  at  once, 
le  the  first  man  at  the 
vays  in  the  bunt,  this 
a.  There  is  no  surer 
lan  to  let  any  man  on 
g  before  him,  or  to  be 
furling  the  courses  or 
is  like  that  of  a  boat- 
spare  rigging,  blocks, 
I  standing  rigging  did 
sport  whenever  a  yard 
It  was  my  duty,  in 


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LIFE   ON  THE   OCEAN. 


187 


&ct,  to  be  at  the  head  and  front  of  all  the  work  going 
on,  and  also  to  have  it  done  in  ft  seaman-like  manner. 
Now,  the  rules  of  this  ship  were,  the  forenoon  watch  be- 
low, and  all  hands  on  deck  in  the  afternoon,  it  may  be 
supposed  therefore,  that  I  had  not  much  idle  time. 

April  7. — The  wind  hauline  to  north-north-west  this 
morning,  all  hands  were  called  to  get  under  way ; 
and  presently  the  well  known,  long  drawn  sound,  was 
heard  at  the  windlass,  when  the  cable  was  stay;  peak, 
topsails  and  top-gallant  sails  were  loosed,  sheeted  home 
and  hoisted  to  the  mast-head,  and  the  yards  braced  so 
us  to  can'  the  ship's  head  to  starboard;  the  windlass 
was  again  manned,  and  as  soon  as  the  anchor  was  off 
the  ground,  the  helm  was  put  to  starboard;  the  ship 
fell  off,  the  yards  were  braced  to  the  wind,  the  anchor 
was  hove  up  and  catted,  the  fish-tackle  hooked  on,  and 
the  anchor  was  got  on  the  bows.  By  this  time  the  ship 
Was  standing  out  on  her  course,  running  off  at  the  rate 
of  six  miles  per  hour.  At  11  a.  m.  discharged  the  pilot, 
secured  the  anchors,  coiled  away  cables  and  cleared 
deck ;  and  at  3^  p.  m.  Cape  Cod  light-house  was  12 
'  miles  distant.  At  sunset  the  land  sunk  in  the  distance, 
and  once  more  I  was  bounding  over  the  ocean  where 
sky  and  water  meet, 

I  do  not  design  in  this  voyage  to  &tigue  the  reader  with 
a  detailed  account  of  a  sea-life ;  that  having  been  given 
in  my  former  voyage.  I  shall  therefore,  confine  myself 
to  the  most  prominent  circumstances  connected  with  it 
The  duties  were  laborious  in  the  extreme,  and  particu- 
larly so  with  me,  in  view  of  the  great  disparity  in  num- 
ber of  the  crew  with  that  of  the  last  voyage.  Here 
was  a  ship  of  350  tons  ^burthen,  with  only  uve  men  in 
a  watch,  consequently  we  were  never  Kbi.e  to  leef  top- 
sails without  calling  all  hands,  a  circumstHuce  frequently 
occurring  two  or  three  times  during  a  single  watch; 
which  was  never  the  case  in  the  former  ship.  Very  fine- 
quently  we  did  not  have  more  than  four  hours  sleep  out 
of  the  twenty-four.  However,  I  was  young,  with  a 
sound  and  vigorous  constitution,  and  was  able  to  with- 


I 


188 


LIFK  ON  THB  OCEAN. 


Stand  all  the  hardships  that  I  was  called  upon  to  pass 
through ;  indeed  such  was  my  pride,  that  if  the  duty 
had  been  doubly  severe,  I  should  have  endeavoured  to 
perform  it  without  a  murmur ;  and  Jn  the  end  it  ^eatly 
assisted  me,  for  I  found  myself  somewhat-  deficient  in 
seamanship,  but  contrived,  nevertheless,  by  promptitude 
and  activity  to  secure  the  favour  and  approbation  of 
Capt.  L.  The  chief  mate,  however,  was  not  so  fortunate. 
Naturally  of  a  supine  disposition  and  not  much  of  a  sea- 
man, and  ftiUy  aware  of  his  deficiency,  he  became,  not 
only  the  butt  on  whom  Capt.  L.  vented  his  ill  humour, 
but  at  the  same  time  he  commanded  but  little  respect 
firom  the  sailors;  his  situation  therefore,  was  exceed- 
ingly unpleasant,  and  had  he  not  have  been  a  relative  of 
the  owners,  Capt.  L.  would  have  deprived  him  of 
authority. 

I  now  perceived  in  Capt.  L.  that,  which  of  all  things 
I  most  dreaded  in  a  master  of  a  vessel,  viz.  a  fondness  for 
the  glass,  and  it  astonished  me,  how  much  he  could 
bear  and  at  the  same  time  discharge  the  duties  of  his 
station.  On  these  occasions,  and  they  were  very  fi». 
quent,  sail  was  carried  so  long  that  it  could  not  be 
taken  in,  and  frequently  the  top-gallantsails  would  be 
spread  in  a  heavy  head  sea,  when  she  ought  to  have 
been  under  double  reefed  topsails.  Twice  during  the 
passage  we  lost  our  top-gallantmast,  and  top-gallant- 
sails, and  was  well  nigh  mnning  the  ship  under.  The 
evil  consequences  of  drinking  to  excess,  particularly 
with  a  captain  of  a  ship,  are  incalculable ;  for  he  has  not 
only  the  absolute  control  of  both  vessel  and  cargo 
when  at  >.«a.  but  also  the  lives  of  all  on  board  are  in  his 
hands.  a  matter  of  astonishment,  therefore,  that  so 

great  a  .  nsibility  should  be  given  to  one,  who  per- 
naj^  two-thirds  ol  bis  time  may  be  under  the  influence 
of  the  intoxicating  draught;  and  I  have  no  doubt  that 
it  has  been  owing  to  this  miserable  vice  that  so  great  a 
lof/S  of  property,  and  the  lives  of  so  many  human  beings 
have  been  sacrificed.  I  resolved,  therefore,  firom  this 
time,  never  to  connect  myself  to  any  ship  or  to  embark 


iif  lintllitt " 


_i 


mm 


XIFE   ON  THE   OCEAN. 


W9 


3d  upon  to  past 
hat  if  the  duty 
endeavoured  to 
e  end  it  ^eatly 
tiat-  deficient  in 
by  promptitude 
approbation  of 
[\ot  so  fortunate, 
much  of  a  sea- 
he  became,  not 
his  ill  humour, 
)ut  little  respect 
•e,  was  exceed- 
eeh  a  relative  of 
3prived  him  of 

ch  of  all  things 
z.  a  fondness  for 
much  he  could 
le  duties  of  his 
'  were  very  fire- 
t  could  not  be 
tsails  would  be 
ought  to  have 
ice  during  the 
nd  top-gallant- 
under.    The 
I,  particularly 
for  he  has  not 
isel  and  cargo 
)oaTd  are  in  his 
lerefore,  that  so 
one,  who  per- 
r  the  influence 
no  douht  that 
that  so  great  a 
human  bein^ 
|fore,  fifom  this 
or  to  embark 


with  any  captain  addicted  to  this  practice ;  indeed  so 
great  were  my  fears  in  reference  to  Captain  L.  and  the 
ultimate  fete  of  the  ship,  that  I  determined  if  possible 
to  frame  an  excuse  on  arriving  at  Rio  de  Janeiro  to  leave 
her.  Accordingly  I  began  forthwith  to  make  an  arrange- 
ment with  the  two  gentlemen  that  were  on  board, 
consignees  of  the  cargo,  to  remain  in  their  employment 
a'l  Rio.  This  excuse  was  plausible  enough,  for  those 
two  gentlemen  had  entered  into  co-partnership  with  a 
commission  house  that  was  largely  engaged  in  naviga- 
tion at  that  place ;  and  to  further  this  object,^  they 
agreed  if  Captain  L.  would  permit  me  to  leave  the  ship, 
that  I  should  have  charge  of  one  of  their  vessels,  which 
at  that  time  was  trading  between  Rio  and  Buenos 
Ayres.    This  plan  being  matured,  when  about  half 

Eassage,  it  was  proposed  by  those  gentlemen  to  Captain 
I.  for  his  approbation  ;  but  the  proposition  did  not  meet 
with  a  very  kind  reception.  He  agreed,  however,  that 
if  a  second  mate  could  be  procured  at  Rio  he  would 
not  object ;  but  if  not,  I  should  have  to  go  the  voyage. 
Accordingly  I  was  entered  in  the  articles  as  a  passenger, 
in  order  to  meet  the  scrupulous  exactness  of  the  Portu- 
guese, who  at  that  time  were  constantly  alarmed  with  the 
dread  t^at  American  vessels  would  introduce  French- 
men clandestinely  into  the  Brazils. 

Map  11. — We  had  now  crossed  the  equinoctial  line, 
in  thirty-four  days  from  Boston,  during  which  we  had 
plenty  of  hard  work  and  rough  usage,  and  at  the  same 
time  the  crew  had  not  feasted  upon  pies  and  puddingF 
The  ship  was  considerably  strained  from  the  unduj 

Eressure  of  canvas  that  was  crowded  upon  her,  whir  h 
ad  caused  her  to  leak,  especially  in  her  upper  work^, 
obliging  us  ^jo  set  the  pumps  agoing  every  hour.  This 
of  all  the  other  duties  of  a  ship,  a  sailor  most  dislikes, 
more  especially  when  it  is  brought  on  by  mismanage- 
ment, as  was  most  evidently  the  case  with  us.  The 
labour  of  the  crew  was  increased,  and  of  course  the 
natural  splt^n  of  a  sailor  was  soon  manifested  by 
Stabling,  and  in  one  or  two  instances,  indications  of 


!:;^| 


LIFE  ON  THE  OCEAN. 

mutiny  were  exhibited  by  refusing  to  do  their  duty. 
My  situation  now  became  exceedingly  unpleasant,  com* 
polled  as  I  was  to  enforce  the  orders  of  Captain  L. — 
which  in  my  judgment  were  sometimes  very  unjust — 
with  a  set  of  men,  whom  I  must  acknowledge,  were 
treated  rather  like  slaves  than  freemen.  In  order  there- 
fore to  have  the  duty  of  the  ship  carried  on,  and  the 
orders  of  Captain  L.  executed  with  promptness,  and  to 
preserve  the  discipline  Of  the  ship,  I  was  necessarily 
compelled,  much  against  my  own  feelings,  to  resort  to 
corporal  punishment.  This  mode  of  enforcing  obedience 
however,  was  resorted  to  but  once;  after  which  the 
duties  of  the  ship  were  executed  without  any  more 
grumbling. 

May  14. — This  morning  saw  Cape  Frio  bearing 
west-south-west,  distant  fourteen  miles.  During  the 
whole  of  the  day  run  down  the  land  under  a  press  of 
canvas,  with  the  wind  from  south-east ;  towards  sunset 
the  wind  dying  away,  hauled  in,  and  anchored  abreast 
of  the  island  of  Maricas,  in  twenty  fiithoms  water.  This 
is  one  of  a  group  of  small  islands  situated  at  a  short 
distance  from  the  harbour  of  Rio  de  Janeiro.  Here  we 
lay  during  the  night.  At  8  a.  m.  the  sea  breeze  setting 
in,  we  immediately  got  under  way  and  stood  into  the 
harbour.  When  abreast  of  the  "Sugar-loaf,"  we  were 
boarded  by  a  boat  from  the  fort,  from  which  a  pass  was 
obtained  to  proceed  up  the  bay  to  the  anchorage  ground  -, 
and  before  we  reached  the  latter  place  we  were  boarded 
by  several  boats  belonging  to  men-of-war,  the  custom 
house  and  the  forts.  At  11  a.  m.  came  io  an  anchor 
in  seven  fathoms  water,  abreast  of  the  island  of  Cobras ; 
after  which  we  moored  the  ship.  Here  we  underwent 
a  severe  examination  by  the  officers  of  a  Portuguese 
man-of-war,  by  whom  we  were^rbidden  to  go  on  shore 
until  a  further  examination  was  made  by  the  intendant 
of  the  police.  In  this  way  we  were  kept  in  suspense 
until  night,  without  any  communication  with  the  shore. 
After  dark  to  our  great  surprise,  a  large  boat  full  of 
armed  soldiers  came  alongsioe,  the  commanding  officer 


■jdrnt'iMttnitMii 


t<aitaiaiiiliaM*i«aatBtw»''*  *'»<«-■■-'-- 


ii.<.  v  iiipmii  ■ 


do  their  duty, 
inpleasant,  com- 
of  Captain  L. — 
s  very  unjust — 
knowledge,  were 

In  order  there- 
ied  on,  and  the 
>mptness,  and  to 
was  necessarily 
ings,  to  resort  to 
orcing  obedience 
after  which  the 
hout  any  more 

le  Frio  bearing 
es.  During  the 
under  a  press  of 
;  towards  sunset 
anchored  abreast 
ams  water.  This 
ituated  at  a  short 
neiro.  Here  we 
ea  breeze  setting 
d  stood  into  the 
r-loaf,"  we  were 
rhich  a  pass  was 
chorage  ground ; 
ve  were  boarded 
war,  the  custom 
ne  io  an  anchor 

and  of  Cobras; 

we  underwent 
»f  a  Portuguese 
n  to  go  on  shore 
ly  the  intendant 
ept  in  suspense 
I  with  the  shore, 
rge  boat  foil  of 
imanding  officfr 


UrS   ON  THE   OCEAN. 


191 


of  which  jumped  on  board,  and  ordered  all  the  pas- 
sengers with  myself  into  the  boat,  giving  us  no  time 
for  expostulation,  and-  without  any  ceremony  drove  us 
into  the  boat  at  the  point  of  the  bayonet;  a  proceeding 
perfectly  unaccountable  to  us.  They  took  us  on  shore 
with  great  silence  and  secrecy,  and  when  there,  put  us 
under  a  strong  guard  of  soldiers,  who  conducted  us  to  a 
loathsome  prison  appropriated  for  felons.  There  wc 
were  tlirust  in  with  as  littlo  ceremony  as  we  had  been 
taken  out  of  the  ship,  and  then  left  to  reflect  upon 
our  most  unenviable  situation.  In  one  corner  of  this 
wretched  prison,  Avere  about  thirty  negroes,  chained  in 

{)airs ;  in  another  were  as  many  more  squallid,  miserable 
ooking  white  men,  whose  very  appearance  denoted 
crime  of  the  deepest  dye.  These,  as  I  afterwards  learned, 
were  imprisoned  for  deeds  of  the  most  horrid  character. 
Indeed  the  whole  interior  of  this  prison  was  a  mass  of 
filth  and  vermin.  The  stench  was  so  horrible,  that  it 
was  impossible  for  any  of  us  to  close  our  eyes  during 
the  night,  and  we  gave  some  of  those  miserable  wretches 
a  few  pieces  of  silver  to  let  us  stand  on  a  bench,  that 
was  neai"  to  a  window  s<Scured  with  large  iron  bars,  so 
that  we  might  inhale  the  fresh  air.  In  this  way  we 
passed  a  sleepless  night,  in  the  deepest  suspense,  bei.>g 
wholly  igiioraiit  of  the  cause  of  this  outrage.  We  weni 
conscious  that  none  of  their  laws  had  been  violated  by 
us,  and  that  all  the  ship's  papers  and  our  passports  were 
correct  and  in  strict  compliance  with  their  laws.  With 
these  reflections,  therefore,  we  felt  assured  that  so  soon 
as  our  minister  was  apprised  of  our  condition,  that  he 
would  immediately  get  us  released.  Tliis,  however,  was 
not  so  easy  a  matter,  for  two  reasons,  the  first  and  most 

Erominent  of  which  was,  that  the  American  minister 
ad  not  much  influence  at  the  court  of  Brazils,  and 
secondly,  because  of  the  many  forms  necessary  to  pa^s 
through  before  it  cOuld  be  efiected.  However,  the  next 
day  we  wore  visited  by  several  American  merchants, 
vrho  ensured  us  that  every  thing  was  in  a  fair  train,  m& 
that  Mr.  SumpMr,  our  minister,  would  hare  us  released 


ii, 


I    irtr'tfi  lattutiaitjuii 


199 


LIFE   ON  THE   OCEAN. 


the  next  morning.  Now  the  idea  of  passing  another 
night  here  was  almost  insupportable,  especially  by  the 
two  young  merchants  ;  but  to  make  a  virtue  of  neces- 
sity, and  cheered  by  the  reflection  that  our  sufferings 
would  be  short,  we  waited  with  patience  until  the  next 
morning,  when  an  order  came  for  our  discharge.  We 
proceeded  to  the  residence  of  S.  W.  B.  an  American 
commission  merchant,  with  whom  the  two  young  men 
who  came  out  in  the  ship  had  entered  into  co-partner- 
ship. From  Mr.  B.  we  learned  the  cause  of  our  im- 
prisonment. It  seems  that  information  had  been  received 
that  an  American  vessel  from  France  via  United  States, 
had  actually  sailed  from  the  former  place  for  this  port, 
having  passengers  on  board  who  were  supposed  to  be 
French  spies.  It  further  appears  that  our  ship  answer- 
ing the  description  of  the  obnoxious  vessel,  their  sus- 
picions fell  upon  us  as  being  the  spies  in  question ;  the 
result  of  which  was,  we  were  thrown  into  prison. 

It  is  probably  known  that  Don  John,  the  king  of  Por- 
tugal, left  Lisbon  with  his  family  in  haste,  (at  the  period 
when  the  French  endeavored  to  possess  themselves  of 
that  capital)  and  took  up  his  risidence  at  Rio ;  and  not- 
withstanding the  broad  Atlantic  rolled  between  his  ene- 
mies and  himself,  and,  besides,  the  combined  armies  of 
England  and  Portugal  were  opposing  them ;  yet,  never- 
theless, so  great  were  his  fears,  that  the  most  rigid  search 
was  made  in  every  foreign  ship,  to  ascertain,  if  possible, 
if  any  Frenchmen  were  secreted  in  them.  The  affair 
of  our  imprisonment  created  much  excitement,  and  it 
became  the  subject  of  a  correspondence  between  the 
American  minieiter  and  the  court  of  Brazil ;  in  conse- 
quence of  which  the  Americans  were  treated  with 
the  greatest  respect  during  the  remainder  of  my  stay 
in  Rio.  I  now  reptdred  on  hilBtrd  the  ship,  and  her 
cargo  was  soon  discharged  ^he  ballast  taken  in,  &>c. 

ind  she  was  made  ready  to  proceed  on  her  voyage. 

fortunately  Capt.  L.  had  procured  a  young  man  to 
^t  in  my  place  as  second  mate,  and  I  was  paid  off 
and  formally  discharged  from  the  ship  to  my  great 


Bssing  another 
pecially  by  the 
irirtue  of  neces- 
our  sufferings 
)  until  the  next 
iischarge.  We 
<.  an  American 
wo  young  men 
into  co-partner- 
luse  of  our  im- 
d  been  received 
.  United  States, 
;e  for  this  port, 
supposed  to  be 
iir  ship  answer- 
sssel,  their  sus- 
1  question ;  the 
to  prison, 
the  Icing  of  Por- 
B,  (at  the  period 
s  themselves  of 

tRio;  and  not- 
tween  his  ene- 
ined  armies  of 
3m ;  yet,  never- 
lost  rigid  search 
:ain,  if  possible, 
m.     The  affair 
itement,  and  it 
e  between  the 
eizil;  in  conse- 
3   treated  Mrith 
ler  of  my  stay 
ship,  and  her 
taken  in,  &,c. 
n  her  voyage. 
yonng  man  to 
was  paid  off 
to  my  great 


LIFE   ON   THE   OOBAN.  IVtif 

satisfaction.  Having  previously  taken  my  adventure  on 
shore,  I  exchanged  the  customary  adieus  with  Capt.  L. 
Mr.  R.  the  crew,  &c.  and  taking  my  dunnage,  I  repaired 
to  the  residence  of  my  friends,  in  whose  employ  I  im- 
mediately entered.  I  disposed  of  my  adventure  to  con- 
siderable advantage,  and  remained  with  those  gentlemen 
six  months,  in  the  capacity  of  clerk ;  afler  which  they 

Sive  me  command  of  a  fine  brig  to  run  between  Ri6, 
ontevideo  and  Buenos  Ayres.  1  remained  in  this 
vessel  fourteen  months,  during  which  I  made  five  suc- 
cessful voyages  for  the  owners,  and  was  so  fortunate 
as  to  scrape  together  about  three  thousand  dollars  for 
myself,  which  was  placed  in  their  hands,  as  I  had  the 
most  unbounded  confidence  in  their  integrity. 


:  i 


:.i 


.-f'  17» 


■'■'•-'• -ir  ll'ilH«-||  liiifiHrll  II  iJaiMwiiiiiiiMiliillilM 


'.piiWPIWi 


CHAPTER  XVII. 

VVrORTVIfATK  CIRCVMHTAMCES  IMDVOIIIO  A  RETURIT  TO  THE 
DMITEO  STATE! — ARRIVAL — WARLIKE  PRBPARATIOHS — PROS- 
PEOTI  or  REMAININO  ON  SHORE  BROKEN  UP — ENTERED  ON 
BOARD   A    PRIVATEER — SAILED  ON  A    CRUISE. 

I  NOW  sailed  on  my  sixth  voyage,  and  arrived  safely  in 
Buenos  Ayres.  After  having  been  there  a  few  days  an- 
other vessel  arrived  from  Rio,  having  persons  on  board 
with  powers  to  attach  my  vessel  ana  cargo  from  under 
me.  I  soon  learned  that  the  house  at  Rio,  in  whose 
employment  I  sailed,  had  failed  for  a  large  amount,  and 
that  these  persons  were  their  creditors.  I  was  now 
left  without  a  vessel,  and  fearlig  that  1  should  lose  the 
flinds  placed  in  their  hands,  lost  no  time  n  getting  back 
to  Rio,  and  when  there  I  found  the  condition  of  the  house 
even  worse  than  I  had  anticipated ;  for  all  my  two  years 
hard  earnings  were  gone,  with  the  exception  of  about 
five  hundred  dollars. 

With  this  small  sum  I  took  passaee  in  the  ship 
Scioto,  bound  for  Baltimore.  I  was  induced  to  do  this 
because  little  doubt  was  then  entertained  that  there 
would  be  a  war  between  the  United  States  and  Eng- 
land, and  I  was  anxious  to  get  home,  if  possible,  before 
it  was  declared.  We  were  fortunate  enough  to  arrive 
ia  safety,  although  the  war  ha«L  been  actually  declared 
fiAeen  oays  before  we  eot  ijpiae  of  the  Capes  of  Tir- 
ginia.  When  we  arrived  in  Baltimore  I  found  the  most 
active  preparations  were  in  progress  to  prosecute  the 
war.  A  number  of  privateers  were  fitting  out ;  and  every 
where  the  American  flag  might  be  seen  flying,  denoting 


»i'ftiiifti«iiiiiriiii 


MaiMMWkiMI 


\ 


'"•  imvi».|i' 


RETUKN  TO  THE 
ARATIONS — PmO»- 
rr — BMTBKKO   Olf 

irrived  safely  in 

a  few  days  an- 

rsons  on  board 

go  from  under 

Rio,  in  whose 

i;e  amount,  and 

I   was  now 

hould  lose  the 

n  getting  back 

on  of  the  house 

1  my  two  years 

iption  of  about 

in  the  ship 

iced  to  do  this 

led  that  there 

and  Eng- 

issible,  before 

tugh  to  arrive 

tually  declared 

Capes  of  Vir- 

>und  the  most 

prosecute  tfie 

»ut;  and  every 

ing,  denoting 


LIFE   ON   THE   OCEAN. 

the  places  of  rendezvous ;  in  a  word  the  most  intense 
excitement  prcvuiled  tlirotighout  the  city,  and  the  posi- 
tion of  a  man  was  not  at  all  enviable,  if  it  were  ascer- 
tained, that  he  was  in  any  degree  favorably  disposed 
towards  the  British.  It  happened  to  full  to  my  lot  to  be 
an  eye-witness  to  the  unpleasant  affair  of  tarring  and 
feathering  a  certain  Mr.  T.  and  also  to  the  demolishing 
of  the  Federal  Republican  printing  office  by  the  mob. 

Once  more  I  returned  to  Boston  to  see  my  friends, 
whom  I  found  pretty  much  in  the  same  situation  as 
when  I  lefl  them.  Two  years  had  mode  but  little  alte- 
ration, except  that  my  sister  was  married,  and  my  father, 
being  aged,  had  retired  from  the  navy,  and  taken  up  his 
residence  in  Marshfiold.  Every  persuasion  was  now 
used  to  induce  me  to  change  my  vocation,  backed  by 
the  strong  reasoning  that  the  war  would  destroy  com- 
merce, and  that  no  alternative  would  be  left  for  seamen 
but  the  unhallowed  pursuit  of  privateering.  These  argu- 
ments had  ^reat  weight,  and  I  began  to  think  seriously 
of  entering  into  some  business  on  shore,  but  then  most 
insuperable  difficulties  arose  in  my  mind  as  to  the 
nature  of  the  business  *l  should  pursue.  My  means 
were  limited,  quite  too  much  so  to  enter  into  the  mer- 
cantile Une,  and  the  only  branch  of  it  with  wliich 
I  was  acquainted  being  the  "commission ;"  another 
obstacle  presented  itself,  which  was,  to  fix  upon  an 
eligible  location.  These  difficulties,  however,  soon  van- 
ished, for  a  wealthy  relative  offered  me  the  use  of  his 
credit,  and  a  young  friend  with  whom  I  was  acquainted, 
having  just  returned  from  the  south,  informed  me  that 
there  was  a^fine  opening  in  Richmond,  Yii^nia.  Where- 
npoii  we  immediately  entered  into  a  mutual  arrangement 
to  establish  a  commission  house  in  that  place.  The 
necessary  p^epdrations  were  made  and  we  started  for 
the  south  ^ 

To  my  great  surprise  and  mortification,  hotraver, 
when  we  reached  Norfolk,  I  ascertained  that  my  partner 
was  without  funds ;  neither  had  he  the  expectation  of 
receiving  any.  This  changed  the  current  of  my  fortunes 


•■"■■"• -n—- r  fii 


ij^upwyii-awnii^iMWl 


196 


LIFE   ON  THE   OCEAN. 


altogether.  I  was  deceived  by  him,  consequently  all 
intercourse  was  broken  off  between  us.  As  my  prospects 
were  now  blasted,  in  reference  to  establishing  myself 
in  business  on  shore,  I  resolved  once  more  to  emoark 
on  my  favourite  element,  and  try  my  luck  there  again. 
Hero  too  in  Norfolk,  all  was  bustle  and  excitement, 
drums  beating,  colours  flying,  soldiers  enlisting,  men 
shipping  in  the  States'  service,  and  many  privateers 
fitting  out,  creating  such  a  scene  of  confusion,  as  I  had 
never  before  witnessed. 

Young  and  of  an  ardent  temperament.  I  could  not 
look  upon  all  these  stirring  movements  an  unmoved 
spectator,  accordingly,  I  entered  on  board  the  George 
Washington  privateer,  in  the  capacity  of  first  lieutenant. 
She  mounted  one  twelve  pounder  on  a  pivot,  and  two 
long  nines,  witli  a  complement  of  eighty  men.  She  wOo 
in  all  respects  a  beautiful  schooner  of  the  most  exact 
symmetrical  proportions,  about  one  hundred  and  twenty 
tons  burthen .  and  said  to  be  as  swift  as  any  thing  that 
floated  the  ocean.  In  reference  to  this  enterprise,  I 
must  confess,  in  my  cooler  moments,  that  I  had  some 
qualms;  to  be  sure  here  was  an  opportunity  of  making 
a  fortune,  but  then  it  was  counterbalanced  by  the  pos- 
sibility of  getting  my  head  knocked  off,  or  a  chance  of 
being  thrown  into  prison  for  two  or  three  years ;  how. 
ever  I  had  gone  too  far  to  recede,  and  1  determined  to 
make  the  best  of  it.  Accordingly  I  placed  what  little 
funds  I  had  in  the  hands  of  Mr.  O.  of  Norfolk,  and 
repaired  on  board  of  the  privateer  with  my  dunnage 
contained  in  a  small  trunk  and  clothes  bug.  On  the 
morning  of  July  20th,  1812,  the  officers  and  crew  being 
all  on  board,  weighed  anchor,  made  sail  and  stood  down 
the  river,  with  the  stars  and  stripes  floating  in  the  breeze, 
and  was  saluted  with  a  tremendous  cheering  firom  the 
shore.  I  now  was  on  board  of  a  description  ofcrafl  with 
which  I  was  entirely  unacquainted ;  I  had  therefore, 
much  to  learn.  The  lieutenants  and  prize-masters, 
however,  were  a  set  of  clever  fellows,  but  the  Captain 
was  a  rough  uncouth  sort  of  a  chap,  and  appeared  to  me 


I 


)nsequently  all 
ks  my  prospects 
blishing  myself 
lore  to  emoark 
ick  there  again, 
nd  excitement, 
enlisting,  men 
lany  privateers 
iision,  as  I  had 

nt,  I  could  not 
I  an   unmoved 
ard  the  George 
first  lieutenant, 
pivot,  and  two 
men.    She  wa^ 
the  most  exact 
red  and  twenty 
any  thing[  that 
is  enterprise,  I 
lat  I  had  some 
nity  of  making 
jed  by  the  pos- 
,  or  a  chance  of 
ie  years ;  how- 
determined  to 
ced  what  little 
Norfolk,  and 
my  dunnage 
bug.    On  the 
ind  crew  being 
nd  stood  do^vn 
in  the  breeze, 
ering  from  the 
}n  of  crafl  with 
lad  therefore, 
prize-masters, 
xt  the  Captain 
ippeared  to  me 


♦    iBITiyn^) 


i*r 


i-wiii     lllUlliWfiplWHy* -^'-      »' 


LIFE    ON   THE    UCSAN. 


i9r 


to  be  fit  for  little  else  than  fighting  and  plunder.  The 
crew  wore  a  motley  set  indeed,com)X)sedof  all  nations; 
tliey  appeared  to  have  b^en  scraped  together  from  the 
lowest  dons  of  wrotchodtiuss  and  vice,  and  only  want- 
ed a  loader  to  induce  them  to  any  acts  of  darmg  and 
desjieration.  Our  destination  in  tho  first  place  was 'to 
cruise  on  the  Spainish  main,  to  intercept  the  English 
traders  between  the  West  India  islands  and  the  ports 
on  the  main.  This  cruising  ground  was  chosen  because 
in  cose  of  neod,  we  liiight  run  into  Carthagena  to  refit 
and  water.  When  we  had  run  down  as  far  as  Lynn- 
haven  Hay,  information  was  received  from  a  pilot  uoat, 
that  tho  llritish  frigate  Bolvidoro  was  cruising  off  the 
Capes.  Tiiis  induced  our  captain  to  put  to  sea  with  the 
wind  from  tlio  southward,  as  the  privateer's  best  sailing 
was  on  a  wind. 

On  tho  morning  of  22d  of  July,  got  under  way  f.  ^n 
Lynnhavtiu  Bay,  and  stood  to  sea.  At  9  a.  m.  when 
about  10  miles  outside  of  Cape  Henry  light-house,  a 
sail  was  discovered  directly  in  the  wind's  eye  of  us, 
bearing  down  under  a  press  of  canvas.  Soon  ascertain- 
ing she  was  a  frigate,  supposed  to  be  the  Belvidere,  we 
stood  on  uixm  a  wind  until  she  came  within  short  gun- 
shot. Our  foresail  was  now  brailod  up  and  the  topsail 
lowered  on  the  cap,  at  the  same  time  the  frigate  took  in 
all  her  liglit  sails  and  hauled  up  her  courses.  As  the 
privateer  lay  nearer  the  wind  than  tho  frigate,  the  latter 
soon  dropt  in  our  wake,  and  ^vhon  within  half  gun  shot, 
we  being  under  cover  of  her  guns,  she  furled  her  top- 
gallant sails,  at  the  same  moment  we  hauled  aft  the  fore 
sheet,  hoisted  away  the  -topsail  and  tacked.  By  this 
manoeuvre  the  frigate  was  under  our  lee.  We  took  her 
fire  and  continued  to  make  short  boards,  and  in  one 
hour  were  out  of  the  reach  of  her  guns  without  receiving 
any  damage.  This  was  our  first  adventure,  and  we 
haded  it  as  a^ood  omen.  The  crew  were  all  in  high 
spirits,  because  the  frigate  was  considered  to  be  as  n^t 
as  anything  on  our  coast  at  that  time,  and,  furthermore, 
the  captain  had  not  only  gained  the  confidence  of  the 


)"lll    ftftfl" 


198 


LIFE   ON  THE   OCEAN. 


m:- 


crew  by  this  daring  manoBUvre,  but  we  found  we  could 
rely  upon  our  heels  for  safety. 

Nouiing  material  occurred  until  we  got  into  the  Mona 
passage,  when  we  fell  in  with  the  Black  Joke  privateer, 
of  New  York,  and  being  unable  to  ascertdn  her  charac- 
ter in  consequence  of  a  thick  fog,  we  came  into  collision 
and  exchanged  a  few  shots,  before  we  found  out  we 
both  wore  the  same  national  colors.  This  vessel  was  a 
sloop  of  not  very  prepossessing  appearance,  but  as  she 
had  obtained  some  celebrity  for  sailmg  in  smooth  water, 
having  previously  been  an  Albany  packet,  she  was  fitted 
out  as  a  privateer.  In  a  sea-way,  however,  being  very 
short,  she  could  not  make  nmch  more  head-way  than  a 
tub.  It  was  agreed  between  the  respective  captains  of 
the  two  vessels,  to  cruise  in  company,  and  in  the  event 
of  a  separation,  to  make  a  rendezvous  at  Carthagena. 
We  soon  ascertained  that  our  craft  would  sail  nearly  two 
knots  to  the  Black  Joke's  one,  and  it  may  well  be  sup- 
posed that  our  company-keeping  was  of  short  dumtion. 
In  two  days  after  parting  with  her  the  long  wished  for 
cry  of  "sail  ho !"  was  sung  out  fi-om  the  mast-head. 
Made  all  sail  in  chase.  When  within  short  gun-shot, 
let  her  have  our  midship  gun,  when  she  immediately 
rounded  to,  took  in  sail,  hoisted  English  colors,  and 
seemed  to  be  preparing  to  make  a  gallant  defence.  In 
this  we  were  not  mistaken,  for  as  we  ranged  up,  she 
opened  a  brisk  cannonading  upon  us.  I  now  wit- 
nessed the  daring  intrepidity  of  Captain  S.  for  while 
the  brig  was  pouring  a  destructive  fire  into  us,  with 
the  greatest  coolness  he  observed,  to  the  crew,  "that 
vessel,  my  lads,  must  be  ours  in  ten  minutes,  after 
I  run  this  craft  under  her  lee  quarter."  By  this  time 
we  had  sheered  up  under  her  stem  and  received  the 
fire  of  her  stern-chasers,  which  did  us  no  other  damage 
than  cutting  away  some  of  our  ropes  and  making 
wind  holes  through  the  sails,  it  was  trie  work  of  a  mo- 
ment ;  the  schooner  lufied  up  under  the  lee  of  the  brig, 
and  with  almost  the  rapidity  of  thought,  we  were  made 
^t  to  her  main  chains.    "Boarders  away!"  shouted 


..j*.jw-:^...  -,-.- 


[ 


bund  we  could 

;  into  the  Mona 
Joke  privateer, 
Eiin  her  charac- 
e  into  collision 
found  out  we 
is  vessel  was  a 
ice,  but  as  she 
I  smooth  water, 
;,  she  was  fitted 
ver,  being  very 
3ad-way  than  a 
tive  captains  of 
ad  in  the  event 
at  Carthagena. 
[  sail  nearly  two 
ay  well  be  sup- 
short  dnntion. 
)ng  wished  for 
;he  mast-head, 
hort  gun-shot, 
le  immediately 
sh  colors,  and 
It  defence.    In 
anged  up,  she 
1  now  wit- 
S.  for  while 
into  us,  with 
crew,  "that 
minutes,  after 
By  this  time 
received  the 
other  damage 
and  making 
work  of  a  mo< 
ee  of  the  brig, 
we  were  made 
^ay!"  shouted 


[ 


LIFE   ON  THE  OCEAN. 


109 


Capt.  S.  We  clambered  up  the  sides  of  the  brig  and 
dropped  on  board  of  her  like  so  many  locusts,  not,  how* 
ever,  till  two  of  our  lads  were  run  through  with  board- 
ing-pikes. The  enemy  made  a  brave  defence,  but 
were  soon  overpowered  by  superior  numbers,  and  the 
captain  of  the  brig  was  mortal  y  wounded.  In  twenty 
minutes  after  we  got  alongside,  the  stars  and  stripes 
were  waving  triumphantly  over  the  British  flag.  In 
this  affair  we  had  two  killed  and  seven  slightly  wound- 
ed, besides  having  some  of  our  rigging  cut  away  and 
sails  somewhat  riddled.  The  brig  was  from  Jamaica, 
bound  to  the  Gulf  of  Maracaibo ;  her  cargo  consisted  of 
sugar,  fruit,  &c.  She  was  two  hundred  tons  burthen, 
mounted  six  six-pounders,  with  a  complement  of  fifteen 
men  all  told.  She  was  manned  with  a  prize  master  and 
crew,  and  ordered  to  any  port  in  the  United  States 
wherever  she  could  get  in. 

This  affair  very  much  disgusted  me  with  privateering, 
especially,  when  I  saw  so  much  loss  of  life  and  behom 
a  band  of  ruthless  desperadoes,  for  such  I  must  call  our 
crew,  robbing  and  plunderng  a  few  defenceless  beings, 
who  were  pursuing  both  a  lawful  and  peaceable  calling. 
It  induced  me  to  tonn  a  resolve  that  1  would  relinquisn 
what  to  my  mind,  appeared  to  be  an  unjustifiable  and 
outrageous  pursuit,  for  I  could  not  then  help  believing, 
that  no  conscientious  man  could  be  engaged  in  priva- 
teering, and  certainly  there  was  no  honour  to  be  gained 
by  it.  The  second  lieutenant  came  to  the  same  deter- 
mination as  myself,  and  both  of  us  most  cordially  de- 
spised our  commander,  because  it  was  with  his  permis- 
sion, thai;  those  most  outrageous  scenes  of  robbing  and 
plundering  were  committed  on  board  of  the  brig.  After 
repairing  damages,  &,c.  we  steered  away  for  Carthagena 
to  fill  up  the  water  casks  and  provision  the  privateer,  so 
that  we  might  eJctend  the  cruise. 


'•\  '■ 


m 


'■<{ 


I 


V.E. 


i 


im 


'«'*»wimiiiiiM|i  '■■ 


[■ 


CHAPTER   XVIII. 

BOAHDIlfO  IN  THE  NIGHT— CAPTURE— TAKEN  PRISONER  BT  CAN- 
NIBALS-HORRIBLE TREATMENT— RELEASE  BY  RANSOM— SAIL 
FOR    6ARTHAGENA. 

In  a  few  days  we  arrived  at  our  destination,  without 
tailing  in  with  any  other  vessel,  and  on  entering  the 
port  we  found  our  comrade,  the  Black  Joke  privateer 
who  had  arrived  a  day  or  two  previously.     Carthaxrena 
les  in  the  parallel  of  10°  26'  north,  and  76°  38' west 
longitude ;  the  harbour  is  good  with  an  easy  entrance 
the  city  IS  strongly  fortified  by  extensive  and  command- 
ing fortifications  and  batteries,  and  I  should  suppose  if 
well  garrisoned  and  manned,  they  would  be  perfectly 
able  to  repel  any  force  which  might  be  brought  to  bear 
against  them.    It  is  well  known,  at  this  time,  that  all 
the  provinces  of  Spain  had  shaken  off  their  allegiance 
to  the  mother  country,  and  declared  themselves  inde- 
pendent    Carthagena,  the  most  prominent  of  the  pro- 
vinces, was  a  place  of  considerable  commerce,  and  about 
this  time  a  few  men-of  war  and  a  number  of  privateers 
were  fitted  out  there.    The  Carthagenian  flag  now  pre- 
sented a  chance  of  gain  to  the  cupidity  of  the  avaricious 
and  desperate,  among  whom  was  our  commander,  Capt. 
».    As  soon ,  therefore,  as  we  had  filled  up  our  water,  &c 
a  proposition  was  made  by  him  to  the  second  lieutenant 
and  myself,  to  cruise  under  both  flags,  the  Ameiican  and 
Oarth^nian,  and  this  to  be  kept  a  profound  secret 
trom  the  crew  untU  we  had  sailed  from  port     Of 
course  we  rejected  the  proposition  with  disdain,  and 
tow  him  the  consequence  of  such  a  measure  in  t'le 
event  of  being  taken  by  a  man-of-war  of  any  nation, 


--^'^-•'  --iirtltiprniiiri  r 


.,  T^-tAiir^'  .r"*  j^tiacarfiiiiiiirtU 


LIFE   ON  THE   OCEAN. 


201 


•R190NER   BT   CAIf- 
BT    RANSOM — BAIL 

ination,  without 

on  entering  the 

Joke  privateer, 

[y.     Carthagena 

id  76°  38'  west 

n  easy  entrance, 

i  and  command- 

fiould  suppose  if 

uld  be  perfectly 

I  brought  to  bear 

is  time,  that  all 

heir  allegiance 

lemselves  inde- 

aent  of  the  pro- 

lerce,  and  aTOUt 

»er  of  privateers 

n  flag  now  pre- 

f  the  avaricious 

nmander,  Capt. 

)  our  water,  &>c. 

cond  lieutenant 

Ameiican  and 

>rofound  secret 

irom  port     Of 

disdain,  and 

neasiire  in  the 

of  any  nation. 


-■.jtft'Vl— •■  iP^'V*-'--'- 


I 


that  it  was  piracy  to  all  intents  and  p'drposes,  according 
to  the  law  of  nations.  We  refused'to  go  out  in  the  pri- 
vateer if  he  persisted  ift  thfs  most  nefarious  act,  and  we 
heard  no  iTVJPS'of  iVivhile  we  lay  in  port. 

In  -a  "tew  days  we  were  ready  for  sea,  and  sailed  in 
company  with  our  companion,  her  force  being  rather 
more  than  ours,  but  the  vessel  very  inferior,  as  stated 
before,  in  point  of  sailing.  While  together  we  captured 
several  small  British  schooners,  the  cargoes  of  which, 
together  with  some  specie,  were  divided  between  the 
two  privateers.  Into  one  of  the  prizes  we  put  all  the 
prisoners,  gave  them  plenty  of  water  and  provisions, 
and  let  them  pursue  their  course  :  the  remainder  of  the 
prizes  were  burned.  We  then  parted  company,  and 
being  short  of  water,  mn  in  towards  the  land  in  order 
to  ascertain  if  any  could  be  procured.  In  approaching 
the  shore,  the  wind  died  away  to  a  perfect  calm,  and  at 
4  p.  M.  a  small  schooner  was  seen  in  shore  of  us.  As 
we  had  not  steerage  way  upon  our  craft,  of  course  it 
would  be  impossible  to  ascertain  her  character  before 
dark  -,  it  was  therefore  determined  by  our  commander  to 
board  her  with  the  boats  under  cover  of  the  night. 
This  was  a  dangerous  piece  of  service,  but  there  was  no 
backing  out.  Volunteers  being  called  for,  I  stepped  for- 
ward, and  very  soon  a  sufficient  number  of  men  to  man 
two  boats  offered  their  services  to  back  me.  Every  dis- 
position was  made  for  the  attack.  The  men  were 
strongly  armed,  pars  muffled,  and  a  grappling  placed  in 
each  boat.  The  bearings  of  the  strange  sail  were  taken, 
and  night  came  on  perfectly  clear  and  cloudless.  I  took 
command  of  the  expedition,  the  second  lieutenant  hav- 
ing charge  of  one  boat.  The  arrangement  was  to  keep 
close  together  tintil  we  got  sight  of  the  vessel ;  the 
second  lieutenant  was  U)  board  on  the  bow  and  I 
on  the  quarter.  We  proceeded  in  the  most  profouad' 
silence ;  nothing  was  heard  save  now  and  then  a  slight 
splash  of  the  oars  in  the  water,  and  before  we  obtained 
sight  of  the  vessel,  I  had  sufficient  time  to  reflect  on  this 
most  perilous  enterprise. 

My  reflections  were  not  of  the  most  pleasant  descrip- 
tion, and  I  found  myself  inwardly  shnnking^  when  I 
18 


•lil 


^)  .  iV 


202 


LIFE   ON  THE   OCEAN. 


was  aroused  by  tiVe  voice  of  the  bowman,  saying,  "there 
she  is,  sir,  two  poin£s„on  the  starboard  bow."  There 
she  lay  sure  enough,  with  every  sail  hoisted,  and  a  light 
was  distinctly  seen,  as  we  supposed,  fr^tr  \her  deck,  it 
being  too  high  for  the  cabin  windows.  We  ho'tt^.keJd 
a  consultation  and  saw  no  good  reason  to  change  the 
disposition  of  attack,  except  that  we  agreed  to  board 
simultaneously.  It  may  be  well  to  observe  here,  that  any 
number  of  men  on  a  vessel's  deck  in  the  night,  have 
double  the  advantage  to  repel  boarders,  because  they 
may  secrete  themselves  in  such  a  position  as  to  fall  upon 
an  enemy  unawares,  and  thereby  cut  them  off  with  lit- 
tle difficulty.  Being  fully  aware  of  this,  I  ordered  the 
men  as  soon  as  we  gained  the  deck  of  the  schooner,  to 
proceed  with  great  caution,  and  keep  close  together  till 
every  hazard  of  the  enterprise  was  ascertained.  The 
boats  now  separated  and  pulled  for  their  respective  sta- 
tions, observing  the  most  profound  silence.  When  we 
had  reached  within  a  few  yards  of  the  schooner,  we 
laid  upon  our  oars  for  some  moments,  but  could  neither 
hear  nor  see  anything.  We  then  pulled  away  cheerily, 
and  the  next  minute  were  under  her  counter,  grappled 
to  her,  every  man  leaped  on  the  deck  without  opposition. 
The  other  boat  boarded  nearly  at  the  same  moment,  and 
we  proceeded  in  a  body,  with  great  caution  to  examine 
the  decks.  A  large  fire  was  m  the  caboose,  and  we 
soon  ascertained  that  her  deck  was  entirely  deserted,  and 
that  she  neither  had  any  boat  on  deck  nor  to  her  stem. 
We  then  proceeded  to  examine  the  cabin,  leaving  an 
armed  force  on  deck.  The  cabin  like  the  deck,  being 
deserted,  the  mystery  was  easily  unravelled.  Probably 
concluding  that  we  should  board  them  under  cover  of 
the  night,  they  no  doubt,  as  soon  as  it  wad  dark,  took 
to  their  boats  and  deserted  the  vessel.  On  the  floor  of 
the  pabin  was  a  part  of  an  English  ensign,  and  some 
mpers  which  showed  that  she  belonged  to  Jamaica. 
The  little  cargo  on  board  consisted  of  Jamaica  rum, 
sugar,  fruit,  &c. 

The  breeze  now  springing  up  and  the  privateer  shew- 
ing lights,  we  were  enabled  to  get  alongside  of  her  in  a 


n,  saying,  "there 
i  bow."  There 
isted,andalight 
f6>tr -her  deck,  it 
We  ho<(t^.i!eJd 
n  to  change  the 
igreed  to  board 
re  here,  that  any 
the  night,  have 
s,  because  they 
n  as  to  fall  upon 
lem  off  with  lit- 
is, I  ordered  the 
the  schooner,  to 
lose  together  till 
Jertained.  The 
r  respective  sta- 
ice.  When  we 
le  schooner,  we 
lit  could  neither 
I  away  cheerily, 
)unter,  grappled 
hout  opposition, 
ne  moment,  and 
tion  to  examine 
iboose,  and  we 
ly  deserted,  and 
lor  to  her  stern, 
bin,  leaving  an 
the  deck,  being 
Ued.  Probably 
under  cover  of 
wad  dark,  took 
On  the  floor  of 
isign,  and  some 
ed  to  Jamaica. 
r  Jamaica  rum, 

privateer  shew- 
iide  of  her  in  a 


LIFE   ON  THS   OCEAN.  8(^ 

couple  of  hours.  A  prizemaster  and  crew  were  put  on 
board,  with  orders  to  keep  company.  During  the  night 
we  ran  along  shore,  and  in  the  morning  took  on  board 
the  privateer  the  greater  part  of  the  prize^s  cargo. 

Being  close  in  shore  in  the  afternoon,  we  descried  a 
settlement  of  huts,  and  supposing  that  water  might  be 
obtained  there,  the  two  vessels  were  run  in  and  anchored 
about  two  miles  distant  from  the  beach.  A  proposition 
was  made  to  me  by  Capt.  S.  to  get  the  water  casks  on 
board  the  prize  schooner,  and  as  she  drew  a  light  draft 
of  water,  I  was  to  run  her  in  and  anchor  her  near  the 
beach,  taking  with  me  the  two  boats  and  twenty  men. 
I  observed  to  Capt.  S.  that  this  was  probably  an  Indian 
settlement,  and  it  was  well  known  that  all  the  Indian 
tribes  on  the  coast  of  Rio  de  la  Hache  were  exceedingly 
ferocious,  and  said  to  be  cannibals ;  and  it  was  also  well 
known  that  whoever  fell  into  their  hands  never  escaped 
with  their  lives ;  so  that  it  was  necessary  before  any 
attempt  was  made  to  land,  that  some  of  the  Indians 
should  be  decoyed  on  board  and  detained  as'hostages 
for  our  safety.  At  the  conclusion  of  this  statement  a 
very  illiberal  illusion  was  thrown  out  by  Capt.  S.  and 
some  doubts  expressed  in  reference  to  my  courage ;  he 
remarking  that  if  I  was  afraid  to  undertake  the  expedi- 
tion he  would  go  himself.  This  was  enough  for  me ; 
I  immediately  resolved  to  proceed  if  I  sacrificed  my  life 
in  the  attempt.  The  next' morning  twenty  water  casks 
were  put  on  board  the  prize,  together  with  the  two  boats 
and  twenty  men,  well  armed  with  muskets,  pistols,  and 
cutlasses,  v  ith  a  supply  of  ammunition  ;  I  repaired  on 
board,  got  the  prize  under  way,  run  in  and  anchored 
about  one  hundred  yards  from  the  beach.  The  boats 
were  got  in  readiness,  and  the  men  were  well  armed  and 
the  water  casks  slung  ready  to  proceed  on  shore.  I  had 
examined  my  own  pistols  narrowly  that  morninff^  and 
had  put  them  in  complete  order,  and  as  I  believed,  had 
taken  every  precaution  for  our  future  operations  so  as 
to  prevent  surprise.  ' 

There  were  about  a  dozen  ill  constructed  huts  or  wig- 
wams, but  no  spot  of  grass  or  shrub  vas  visible  to  the 


t'&&m^sm. 


■liiKIUIIIWMM 


204 


LIFE   ON  THE   0<fRAtX. 


eye,  with  the  exception  of  here  and  there  the  trunk  of 
'  an'  old  tree.  One  solitary  Indian  was  seen  stalking  on 
the  beach,  and  the  whole  scene  presented  the  most  wild 
and  savage  appearance,  and  to  my  mind  angured  very 
unfavourably.  We  pulled  in  with  the  casks  in  tow, 
seven  men  being  in  each  boat ;  when  Avithin  a  short 
distance  of  the  beach,  the  boats'  heads  were  put  to  sea- 
ward, when  the  Indian  came  abreast  of  us.  Addressing 
him  in  Spanish,  I  inquired  if  water  could  be  procured, 
to  which  he  replied  in  the  affinnative.  I  then  displayed 
to  his  view  some  gew-gaws  and  trinkets,  at  which  he 
appeared  perfectly  delighted,  and  with  many  signs  and 
gestures  invited  me  on  shore.  Thrusting  my  pistols 
mto  my  belt,  and  buckling  on  my  cartridge-box,  I  gave 
orders  to  the  boats'  crews,  that  in  case  they  discovered 
anything  like  treachery  or  surprise,  after  I  had  gotten  on 
shore,  to  cut  the  water  casks  adrift  and  make  the  best 
of  their  way  on  board  the  prize.  As  soon  as  I  had 
jumped  on  shore,  I  inquired  if  there  were  any  live  stock, 
such  as  fowls,  &c.  to  be  had  ?  Pointing  to  a  hut  about 
thirty  yards  from  the  boats,  he  said  that  the  stock  was 
there,  and  invited  me  to  go  and  see  it.  I  hesitated,  sus- 
pecting some  treachery ;  however,  alter  repeating  my 
order  to  the  boats'  crews,  I  proceeded  with  the  Indian, 
and  when  within  about  a  half  dozen  yards  of  the  hut, 
at  a  preconcerted  signal  (as  I  supposed)  as  if  by  magic, 
at  least  one  hundred  Indianis  rushed  out  with  the 
rapidity  of  thought.  I  was  knocked  down,  stripped  of 
all  my  clothing  except  an  inside  flannel  shirt,  tied  hand 
and  foot,  and  then  taken  and  secured  to  the  trunk  of  a 
largB  tree,  surrounded  by  about  twenty  squaws,  as  a 
guard,  who  with  the  exception  of  two  or  three  bore  a 
aiost  wild  and  hideous  look  in  their  appearance.  The 
capture  of  the  boats'  crews  was  simultaneous  with  my 
own,  they  being  so  much  surprised  and  confounded  at 
the  stratagem  of  the  Indians,  that  they  had  not  the 
power,  or  presence  of  mind  to  pull  oflf. 

After  they  had  secured  our  men,  a  number  of  them 
jumped  into  the  boats,  pulled  off  and  captured  the  prize 
without  meeting  with  any  resistance  from  those  on  board, 


■ 

u 


*!*i9i#^"'- 


--y>.^Vj»».  ifeliWWiflltiOtlte'W 


I 


lere  the  trunk  of 
seen  stalking  on 
;d  the  most  wild 
id  augured  very 
casks  in  tow, 
1  within  a  short 
were  put  to  sea- 
us.  Addressing 
lid  be  procured, 

then  displayed 
3ts,  at  which  he 
Tiany  signs  and 
ting  my  pistols 
Ige-box,  I  gave 
liey  discovered 
I  had  gotten  on 

make  the  best 
soon  as  I  had 
any  live  stock, 
to  a  luit  about 

the  stock  was 
hesitated,  sus- 
repeating  my 
ith  the  Indian, 
ds  of  the  hut, 
s  if  by  magic, 
out  with  the 
m,  stripped  of 
lirt,  tied  hand 
the  trunk  of  a 
squawS;  as  a 
r  three  bore  a 
arance.    The 
ious  with  my 
unfounded  at 
had  not  the 

iber  of  them 
red  the  prize 
ose  on  board, 


UF£   ON  THE   OCEAN 


they  being  only  six  in  number.  Her  cable  was  then  cut 
and  she  was  run  on  the  beach,  when  the}''  proceeded  to 
dismantle  her,  by  cutting  the  sails  from  the  bolt-ropes, 
and  taking  out  what  little  cargo  there  was,  consisting  of 
Jamaica  rum,  sugar.  Sec.  This  being  done  they  led 
ropes  on  shore  from  the  schooner,  when  about  one  hun- 
dred of  them  hauled  her  up  nearly  high  and  dry. 

By  this  time  the  privateer  had  seen  our  disaster,  stood 
boldly  in  and  anchored  within  less  than  gun-shot  of  the 
beach  ;  they  then  very  foolishly  opened  a  brisk  cannon- 
ade, but  every  shot  was  spent  in  vain.  This  exasperated 
the  Indians,  and  particularly  the  one  who  had  taken 
possession  of  my  pistols.  Casting  my  eye  around,  I 
saw  him  creeping  toward  me  with  one  pistol  presented, 
and  when  about  five  yards  off,  ho  pulled  the  trigger. 
But  as  providence  had  no  doubt  ordered  it,  the  pistol 
snapped ;  at  the  same  moment  a  shot  from  the  privateer 
fell  a  few  yards  from  us,  when  the  Indian  rose  upon 
his  feet,  cocked  the  pistol  and  fired  it  at  the  privateer ; 
turning  round  with  a  most  savage  yell,  he  threw  the 
pistol  with  great  violence,  which  grazed  my  head,  and 
then  with  a  large  stick  boat  and  cut  me  tmtil  I  was 
perfectly  senseless.  This  was  about  10  o'clock,  and  I 
did  not  recover  my  consciousness  until,  as  I  supposed, 
about  4  o'clock  in  the  afternoon.  I  perceived  there 
were  four  squaws  sitting  around  me,  one  of  whom  from 
her  appearance,  having  on  many  gew-gaws  and  trinkets, 
was  the  wife  of  a  chief.  As  soon  as  she  discovered 
signs  of  returning  consciousness,  she  presented  me  with  a 
gourd,  the  contents  of  which  appeared  to  be  Indian 
meal  mixed  with  water;  she  first  drank  and  then  gave 
it  to  me,  and  I  can  safely  aver,  that  I  never  drank  any 
beverage  before  or  since  which  produced  such  relief 

Night  was  now  coming  on,  the  privateer  had  got 
under  way  and  was  standing  off  and  on,  with  a  fla^  of 
truce  flying  p.t  her  mast-head.  The  treacherous  Ihdian 
with  whom  I  had  first  conversed,  came  and  with  a 
malignant  smile,  gave  me  the  dreadful  intelligence  that 
at  12  o'clock  that  night  we  were  to  be  roasted  and  eaten. 
18« 


i 


ii<«ii»*«iiw.m,i-iMiw.M.i,. 


"•xtari   mill.  «ti"iii>yiiim 


806 


LIFE   ON  THE  0CEAI7. 


Accordingly  at  sunset  I  was  unloosed  and  conducted 
by  a  band  of  about  half  a  dozen  savages  to  the  spot, 
where  I  found  the  remainder  of  our  men  firmly  secured 
by  having  their  hands  tied  behind  them,  their  legs 
lashed  together,  and  each  man  fastened  to  a  stake  that 
had  been  driven  into  the  ground  for  that  purpose. 
There  was  no  possibility  to  elude  the  vigilance  of  these 
miscreants.  As  soon  as  night  shut  in,  a  large  quantity 
of  brush  wood  was  piled  around  us,  and  nothing  now 
was  wanting  but  the  fire  to  complete  this  horrible 
tragedy.  The  same  malicious  savage  approached  us 
once  more  and  with  the  deepest  malignity  taunted  us 
with  our  coming  fate.  Having  some  knowledge  of  the 
Indian  character,  I  summoned  up  all  the  fortitude  of 
which  1  was  capable,  and  in  terms  of  defiance  told  him 
that  twenty  Indians  would  be  sacrificed  for  each  one 
of  us  sacrificed  by  him,  I  knew  very  well  that  it  would 
not  do  to  exhibit  any  signs  of  fear  or  cowardice,  and 
having  heard  much  of  the  cupidity  of  the  Indian  cha- 
racter, I  offered  the  savage  a  large  ransom  if  he  would 
use  his  influence  to  procure  our  release.  Here  the  con- 
versation was  abruptly  broken  off  by  a  most  hideous 
yell  from  the  whole  tribe,  occasioned  by  their  having 
takenlarge  draughts  of  the  rum,  which  now  began  to 
operate  very  sensibly  upon  them ;  and  as  it  will  be 
seen  operated  very  much  to  our  advantage.  This  thirst 
for  rum  caused  them  to  relax  their  vigilance,  and  we 
were  left  alone  to  pursue  our  reflections,  which  were 
not  of  the  most  enviable  or  pleasant  character.  A  thou- 
sand melancholy  thoughts  rushed  over  my  mind.  Here 
I  was,  and  in  all  probability  in  a  few  hours  I  should  be 
in  eternity,  and  my  death,  one  of  the  most  horrible 
description.  Oh !  thought  I,  how  many  were  the  en- 
treaties and  arguments  used  by  my  friends  to  deter  me 
from  pursuing  an  avocation  so  fiill  of  hazard  and  peril. 
If  I  had  taken  their  advice,  and  acceded  to  their  solici- 
tations, in  all  probability  I  should  at  this  time  have  been 
in  flie  enjoyment  of  much  happiness.  I  was  aroused 
from  this  reverie  by  the  most  direful  screams  from  the 


II  jrHifaf*"*^*^**^**^' 


!«'*«H)HW' 


and  conducted 
es  to  the  spot, 
I  firmly  secured 
hiem,  their  legs 
to  a  stake  that 
that  purpose, 
jilance  of  these 
.  large  quantity 
I  nothing  now 
B  this  horrible 
approached   us 
ity  taunted  us 
owlcdge  of  the 
he  fortitude  of 
fiance  told  him 
d  for  each  one 
tl  that  it  would 
cowardice,  and 
le  Indian  cha- 
m  if  he  would 
Here  the  con- 
most  hideous 
''  their  having 
now  began  to 
as  it  will  be 
(.    This  thirst 
mce,  and  we 
which  were 
ter.    A  thou- 
mind.  Here 
should  be 
nost  horrible 
were  the  on- 
to deter  me 
ird  and  peril. 
>  their  solici- 
ne  have  been 
was  aroused 
mis  from  the 


3l 


LIFE  ON  THL   OCEAN. 


207 


united  voices  of  the  whole  tribe,  they  having  drank  large- 
ly of  the  rum  and  become  so  much  intoxicated  that  a 
general  fight  ensued.  Many  of  them  lay  stretched  on. 
the  ground  with  tomahawks  deeply  implanted  in  their 
skulls,  and  many  others  as  the  common  phrase  is,  were 
dead  drunk.  This  was  an  exceedingly  fortunate  cir- 
cumstance for  us.  With  their  senses  benumbed,  of 
course,  they  had  forgotten  their  avowal  to  roast  us,  or  it 
may  be  the  Indian  to  whom  I  proposed  ransom,  had 
conferred  with  the  others,  and  they  no  doubt  agreed  to 
spare  our  lives  until  the  morning.  It  was  a  night, 
however,  of  pain  and  terror,  as  well  as  of  the  most 
anxious  suspense,  and  when  the  morning  dawn  broke 
upon  my  vision,  I  felt  an  indescribable  emotion  of 
gratitude,  as  I  had  fully  made  up  in  my  mind  the  night 
previous,  that  long  before  this  time  I  should  have  been 
sleeping  the  sleep  of  death.  It  was  a  pitiable  sight 
when  the  morning  light  broke  forth,  to  see  twenty 
human  beings  stripi^ed  naked,  with  their  bodies  cut  and 
lacerated,  and  the  blood  issuing  from  their  wound*,  with 
their  hands  and  feet  tied,  ^.r  d  their  bodies  fastened  to 
stakes  with  brush  wood  piled  around  them,  expecting 
every  moment  to  be  their  last.  My  feelings  on  this 
occasion  can  be  better  imagined  than  described;  .-iuffice 
it  to  say,  that  1  had  given  up  all  hopes  of  esoatie,  and 
gloomily  resigned  myself  to  death.  When  tf  j  fumes 
of  the  liquor  had  in  some  degree  worn  off  from  the 
benumbed  senses  of  the  savages,  they  arose  and  ap- 
proached us,  and  for  the  first  ijme,  the  wily  Indian 
informed  me  that  the  tribe  had  agreed  to  r&nsom  us. 
They  then  cast  off  the  lashings  ftom  our  bodies  and 
feet,  and  with  our  hands  still  secured,  drove  us  Lcfore 
them  to  the  beach.  Then  another  difficulty  arose ;  tfie 
privateer  was  out  of  sight  and  the  Indians  became 
furious.  To  satiate  their  hellish  malice  they  obliged  us 
to  run  on  the  beach  while  they  let  fiy  their  poisoned 
arrows  after  us.  For  my  own  part  my  limbs  were  so 
benumbed  that  I  could  scarcely  walk,  and  I  firmly 
resolved  to  stand  still  and  take  the  worst  of  it,  which 


'I 


, .VJft^  .^on-Ill  iii,i-ii<tiifcw...i^.>...^ 


-far.MniiW*i«»ii  rfrtiii^K 


208 


LIFE  ON  THE  OCEAN. 


'■ 


was  the  best  plan  I  could  have  adopted,  for  when  they 
perceived  that  I  exhibited  no  signs  of  fear,  not  a  single 
arrow  was  discharged  at  nie.  Fortunately  before  they 
grew  weary  of  this  sport,  to  my  groat  joy  the  privateer 
hove  in  sight.  She  stood  boldly  in  with  the  Hag  of 
truce  flying,  and  the  savages  consented  to  let  one  man 
of  their  own  choosing  go  off  in  the  boat  to  procure  the 
stipulated  ransom.  The  boat  returned  loaded  with  ar- 
ticles of  various  descrij)tions,  and  two  of  our  men  were 
released.  Tlie  boat  kept  plying  to  and  from  the  priva- 
teer bringing  with  them  sut;li  articles  as  they  demand- 
ed, until  all  were  released  except  myself.  Here  it  may 
bo  proper  to  observe,  that  the  nmUitto  man  who  had 
been  selected  by  the  Inilians,  performed  all  this  duty 
himself,  not  one  of  the  privateer's  crow  daring  to  hazard 
their  liv^es  with  him  in  the  boat.  I  then  Avas  left  alone, 
and  (or  my  release  tl)ey  required  a  double  ransom.  I 
began  now  seriously  to  think  that  they  intended  to 
detain  me  altogether.  My  mulatto  friend,  however, 
pledged  himself  that  he  would  never  leave  me. 

Again  for  the  last  time  he  sculled  the  boat  off.  She 
quickly  returned  with  a' larger  amount  of  articles  than 
previously.  It  was  a  moment  of  the  deepest  anxiety, 
for  there  had  now  arrived  from  the  interior  another 
tribe,  apparently  snperi(trin  point  of  numbers,  and  elated 
with  the  booty  which  had  been  obtained.  They  de- 
manded a  share,  and  expressed  a  determination  to  detain 
me  for  a  larger  ransom.  These  demands  were  refused, 
and  a  conflict  ensued  of  the  most  frightful  and  terrific 
character.  Tomahawks,  knives  and  arrows,  were  used 
indiscriminately,  and  many  an  Indian  fell  in  that  bloody 
contest.  The  tomahawks  were  thi  ^wn  with  the  swift- 
ness of  arrows,  and  were  generally  buried  in  the  scuil 
or  the  breast,  and  whenever  two  came  in  contact  with 
the  famous  "Indian  hug,"  the  strife  was  soon  over  with 
either  one  or  the  other,  by  one  plunging  the  deadly 
knife  up  to  the  hilt  in  the  body  of  his  opponent ;  nor 
were  the  poisoned  arrows  of  less  swift  execution,  for 
where  ever  they  struck,  the  wretched  victim  wa»  quickly 


^af'ii'tiwii' iiiiii  -■ 


w 


,,  for  when  they 
bar,  not  a  single 
toiy  before  they 
oy  the  privateer 
ntli  the  Hag  of 
to  let  one  man 
t  to  procure  the 
loaded  with  ar- 
'  our  men  were 
f^'om  the  priva- 
?  they  demand- 
'.     Here  it  may 
man  who  had 
il  all  this  duty 
iiring  to  hazard 
was  left  alone, 
)le  ransom.     I 
!y  intended  to 
end,   however, 
vo  me. 

boat  off.     She 
)f  articles  than 
epest  anxiety, 
terior  another 
srs,  and  elated 
Jd.    They  de- 
ation  to  detain 
were  refused, 
il  and  terrific 
1,  were  used 
in  that  bloody 
i^ith  the  swift- 
in  the  scuil 
contact  with 
)on  over  with 
the  deadly 
>ponent ;  nor 
execution,  for 
wa»  quickly 


LIFE   ON   THE   OCEAN. 


209 


in  eternity.  I  shall  never  forget  the  frightful  barbarity 
of  that  hour,  although  years  have  elapsed  since  its  oc- 
currence, still  the  whole  scene  in  imagination  is  before 
me, — the  savage  yell  of  the  war  whoop,  and  the  direful 
screams  of  the  sr|uaws  still  ring  afresh  in  my  cars.  In 
the  height  of  this  conflict,  a  tall  Indian  chief,  who  I 
know  belonged  to  the  same  tribe  with  the  young  squaw 
who  gave  mo  the  drink,  came  dt)wn  to  the  beach  where 
I  was.  The  boat  had  been  discharged  and  was  laying 
with  her  head  off.  At  a  signal  given  by  the  squaw  to 
the  chief,  he  caught  me  up  in  his  arms  with  as  much 
ease  as  if  I  liad  been  a  child,  waded  to  the  boat,  threw 
me  in,  and  then  with  a  most  expressive  gesture,  urged 
us  off.  Fortunately,  there  were  two  oars  in  the  boat, 
and  feeble  as  I  was  I  threw  nil  the  remaining  strength 
I  had  to  the  oar.  It  was  the  last  effort,  as  life  or  death 
hung  up(jn  the  next  filU'on  miimtes.  Disapp<->inled  of 
a  share  of  the  booty,  the  savages  were  frantic  with  rage, 
especially  when  thoy  saw  I  had  eluded  their  grasp. 
Rushing  to  the  beach,  about  a  dozen  threw  themselves 
into  the  other  boat  which  had  boon  captured,  and  pulled 
after  us ;  but  fortunately  in  their  hurry  they  had  for- 
gotten the  muskets,  and  being  unacquainted  with  the 
metliod  of  rowing,  of  course  they  made  but  little  pvo- 
gress  which  enabled  us  to  increase  our  distance. 

The  privateer  having  narrowly  watched  all  these  move- 
ments, and  seeing  our  innninent  danger,  stood  boldly 
on  toward  the  beach,  and  in  the  next  five  minutes_8he 
lay  between  us  and  the  Indians,  discharging  a  heavy 
fire  of  musketry  among  them.  Such  was  the  high 
excitement  of  n)y  feelings  that  I  scarcely  recollected 
how  I  gained  the  privateer's  deck.  But  I  was  saved, 
nevertheless,  though  I  was  weak  with  the  loss  of  blood 
and  savage  treatment,  my  limbs  benumbed,  and  body 
scorched  with  the  piercing  rays  of  the  sun,  the  whole 
scene  rushing  through  my  mind  with  the  celerity  of 
electricity,  it  unmanned  and  quite  oveTpowered  me ;  I 
fainted  and  fell  senseless  on  the  deck. 


immimiiitmMiimimtia*m..!M  ._>. 


''-"''^•''•-- I    I 'iffc' ilfliiiiWIlH 


san 


mmtm 


i«a*a 


CHAPTER   XIX. 


I? 


tBAVl  THE  PKIVATECR  AND  SAIL,  FOR  THE  UNITED  STATEI — 
CNTER  Otr  BOARD  A  LETTER  Or  MARl^UE — CAPTURED  BV  THE 
BHOLIIH — RECAPTURED  BV  THE  PAUL,  JONES  PRIVATEER — 
ENTER    AS    PRIEEMASTER — HER    OmCERS    AND    CREW. 

The  usual  restoratives  nnd  caro  were  administered, 
and  I  soon  recovered  from  the  clFects  of  my  capture. 
Some  of  the  others  were  not  so  fortuimto  ;  two  of  them 
especially  wore  cut  in  a  shocking  manner,  and  the 
others  were  so  dreadfully  beaten  and  mangled  by  clubs, 
that  the  greatest  care  was  necessary  to  save  their  lives. 
My  dislike  for  the  captain  had  very  much  increased 
since  that  unhappy,  disastrous  affair ;  it  never  would 
have  occurred  if  ho  had  taken  my  advice,  as  his  illibe- 
rality,  and  the  hints  he  threw  out  in  reference  to  my  want 
of  courage,  were  the  causes  of  my  suffering  and  the  sad 
result  of  the  enterprise.  I  determined,  therefore,  in 
conjunction  with  the  second  lieutenant,  to  leave  the 
privateer  as  soon  as  we  arrived  in  Carthagena,  to  which 
port  we  were  now  bound.  We  soon  had  a  good  pretext 
for  putting  this  determination  into  execution,  for  two 
days  after  the  affair  with  the  Indians  we  fell  in  with  a 
Spanish  schooner,  and  for  the  first  time  since  leaving 
Carthagena,  a  commission  and  flag  of  the  latter  place 
was  produced  by  Captain  S.  Under  this  commission 
and  nag  he  captured  the  schooner,  being  deaf  to  every 
remonstrance  that  was  made  to  him  by  us.  The  prize 
was  manned  and  ordered  to  Carthagena,  where  she 
arrived  two  days  after  our  entrance  into  that  port.  The 
second  lieutenant  and  myself  immediately  demanded 
our  discharge  and  share  of  prize  money,  which  were 
granted,  when  we  received  eighteen  hundred  dollars  each, 
as  our  part  of  the  captures.    With  these  funds  we  pur- 


"^'T^sssss^dm 


;sa!tm**- 


united  itatei— 
;apturci>  bv  the 
ne«    privateeh — 

(O    CREW. 

re  ndininistered, 
of  my  capture. 
B  ;  two  of  them 
[innor,  and  the 
inglod  by  chibs, 
save  their  Uvea, 
[iiuch  increased 
it  never  would 
ce,  as  liis  illibe- 
ence  to  my  want 
ing  and  tfio  sad 
d,  therefore,  in 
t,  to  leave  the 
gena,  to  which 
a  eood  pretext 


sution,  for  two 

fell  in  with  a 

since  leaving 

le  latter  place 

us  commission 

|g  deaf  to  every 

is.    The  prize 

ta,  where  she 

|hat  port    The 

y  demanded 

which  were 

id  dollars  each, 

I  funds  we  pur- 


OIV  THE   OOBAN. 


an 


chased  a  Jiiio  ('opjwred  schooner,  and  succeeded  in 
getting  n  freight  uiid  passengers  for  New  Orleans.  In 
about  a  woek  we  sailed  and  bade  adieu  to  the  privateer 
and  her  unprincipled  commander,  who  would  at  any 
time  sacrifice  honor  and  honesty,  and  expose  himself  to 
the  ignominious  death  of  a  pirate  for  sordid  gain. 

We  arrived  at  Now  Orleans  after  a  passage  of  eleven 
days  without  accident  or  interruption.  Here  all  was 
excitement,  as  the  news  of  the  capture  of  the  Guerriere 
frigate  by  the  Constitution  had  just  been  received. 
Three  largo  privateers  were  fitting  out,  from  the  com- 
manders of  which,  very  tempting  offers  were  thrown 
out  to  enter  on  board,  but  I  had  enough  of  privateerino, 
and  considered  it  at  that  time  a  most  unjustifiable  mode 
of  warfare ;  and  although  I  could  not  obtain  business 
lor  our  vessel  and  the  probability  was  that  nothing 
would  offer  for  sometime,  I  resolved  to  remain  on  shore 
rather  than  to  engage  again  in  that  nefarious  calling. 

New  Orleans  at  that  period  was  swayed  by  French 
and  Spanish  influence.  The  manaers  and  customs  of 
these  people  universally  prevailed,  consequently  pre- 
sented to  a  mind  trained  under  the  strict  regulatiot;  of 
moral  precepts,  the  greatest  degree  of  repugnance  ;  and 
althougli  in  my  travels  1  had  frequently  been  among 
these  people  in  Europe  and  South  America,  and  of 
course  had  become  acquainted  in  some  degree  with 
their  habits,  yet  I  could  never  reconcile  the  strongly 
marked  deviations  from  those  principles  of  virtue  and 
piety  so  prevalent  in  the  other  states  and  cities  of  North 
America.  The  consequence  was,  that  I  soon  became 
weary,  and  as  we  could  find  no  employment  ibr  our 
vessel,  I  embraced  a  most  advantageous  offer  an  first 
officer  of  a  letter  of  marque,  bound  to  Bordeaux.  No  time 
was  lost  in  settling  the  business  of  the  schooner  with 
my  friend,  and  as  he  had  also  procured  a  berth,  we  gave 
.  a  power  of  attorney  to  a  merchant  of  hjgh  respectability 
to  act  for  us  during  our  absence. 

On  the  8th  October,  1812,  the  letter  of  marque  bding 
ready  for  sea  with  the  crew,  &,c.  all  on  board,  we  cast 


' 


msmm. 


ifm'-v. 


%:: 


LIFE   ON  THE    OCEAN. 

off  from  the  "Levee,"  dropt  down  the  river,  and  on  the 
I2th,  went  out  of  the  "north-east  pass,"  and  discharged 
our  pilot.  This  vessel  was  a  schooner  of  three  hundred 
tons  burthen,  Baltimore  built,  and  of  the  most  beautiful 
symmetrical  proportions ;  she  mounted  ten  guns  with  a 
crew  consisting  of  thirty  men.  Our  commander  was  a 
native  of  New  Orleans,  a  good  seaman,  possessing  at  the 
same  time  great  affability  of  manners  and  great  decision 
of  character.  The  second  officer  was  an  old  American 
seaman,  rough  in  his  exterior,  yet  at  the  s£une  time 
frank,  open  and  generous,  with  a  frame  and  constitution 
that  seemed  to  defy  the  hardships  of  a  sea  life.  The 
crew  were  a  fine  set  of  able  seamen,  and  in  such  a  craft 
I  promised  myself  as  much  comfort  as  could  be  expected 
apart  from  the  danger  of  capture  and  the  perils  of  the  sea. 
Nothing  material  transpired  until  we  reached  the 
Maranilla  Reef,  when,  on  the  morning  of  the  21st,  we  fell 
in  with  an  English  frigate.  Fortunately  for  us  we  were 
to  the  windward,  or  she  would  have  crippled  us,  being 
within  gun-shot.  All  sail  was  made  on  the  schooner 
and  the  chase  continued  throughout  the  v/hole  day, 
and  at  sunset  we  had  not  gained  in  distance  more  than 
one  mile;  the  reason  of  this,  however,  was  owing  to  a 
strong  breeze  which  obliged  us  to  "reef  down,"  the 
fiigate  carrying  top-gallantsails  during  the  whole  day. 
When  night  set  in,  under  its  cover  we  altered  our  course 
and  eluded  the  vigilance  of  the  enemy,  for  in  the  morn- 
ing nothing  was  to  be  seen  from  the  mast-head.  This 
was  the  first  chase,  and  although  I  had  great  confidence 
in  the  judgment  and  ability  of  Captain  N.  as  a  schooner 
sailer,  yet  1  had  not  so  much  in  the  sailing  of  the 
schooner ;  but  was  informed  by  the  captain  that  her  best 
play  was  before  the  wind.  It  was  not  long  before  we 
had  a  fair  trial  of  her  speed  in  that  way,  for  on  the  25tlj< 
at  8  in  the  morning,  we  fell  in  with  an  English  sloop-of- 
war,  about  two  miles  to  the  windward.  As  there  was  no 
possibility  of  escaping  heron  a  wind  it  blowing  a  strong 
breeze  at  the  time,  we  kept  away  right  before  the  wind, 
so  as  to  bring  the  sails  of  the  sloop-of-war  all  on  one 
mast ;  in  this  way  we  beat  her  easily  without  setting 


river,  and  on  the 
,"  and  discharged 
of  three  hundred 
;he  most  beautiful 
i  ten  guns  with  a 
jommander  was  a 
,  possessing  at  the 
md  great  decision 
I  an  old  American 
It  the  same  time 
e  and  constitution 
f  a  sea  hfe.     The 
nd  in  such  a  craft 
could  be  expected 
le  perils  of  the  sea. 
we  reached  the 
ofthe  21st,  we  fell 
3ly  for  us  we  were 
crippled  us,  being 
I  on  the  schooner 
t  the  whole  day, 
istance  more  than 
ir,  was  owing  to  a 
"reef  down,"  the 
g  the  whole  day. 
altered  our  course 
r,  for  in  the  mom- 
mast-head.    This 
i  great  confidence 
I  N.  as  a  schooner 
le  sailing  of  the 
iptain  that  her  best 
ot  long  before  we 
y,  for  on  the  25th/ 
English  sloop-of- 
As  there  was  no 
blowing  a  strong 
before  the  wind, 
of- war  all  on  one 
without  settiDR 


UPK   ON  THE  OCEAN. 


213 


our  squaresail.  In  this  the  second  chase,  our  confi- 
dence in  the  speed  of  the  schooner  became  very  much 
strengthened. 

The  weather  now  became  boisterous,  with  almost 
continual  westerly  gales,  and  it  might  be  said  that  we 
were  literally  under  water  one  half  of  the  tinfe.  It  was 
a  rare  thing  even  with  a  moderate  breeze  to  see  a  dry 
spot  on  our  decks  when  under  a  press  of  canvas,  and  it 
was  often  the  same  thing  below  ;  but  more  especially ' 
the  condition  of  the  forecastle  was  such,  that  the  men 
had  usually  to  "turn  in  wet,  a»:d  turn  out  smoking." 

•We  were  now  reaching  up  toward  the  Grand  Banks, 
and  as  that  was  the  usual  track  for  outward  bound 
vessels,  we  expected  to  fall  in  with  cruisers,  and  conse- 
quently kept  a  good  look-out.  In  this  we  were  not 
mistaken,  for  on  the  5th  of  November,  while  scudding 
under  a  reefed  foresail  in  a  westerly  gale,  we  fell  in  With 
an  English  seventy-four,  about  a  mile  ahead  of  us,  lay- 
ing to  on  the  starboard  tack.  In  order  to  get  clear  of 
her  it  was  necessary  to  haul  up,  the  schooner  holding  a 
better  wind  than  the  seventy-four ;  the  latter  soon  dlrop- 
ped  to  leeward,  but  another  difficulty  now  arose ;  a 
frigate  was  seen  broad  upon  the  weather  quarter,  bear- 
ing down  for  us,  under  a  press  of  canvas.  It  was 
evident  that  our  situation  was  a  critical  one,  for  if  we 
bore  away  before  the  wind  we  must  necessarily  close  in 
with  the  seventy-four  and  receive  her  fire  ;  so  the  only 
alternative  therefore,  left  us  v.'as,  to  keep  away  four 
points  and  if  possible,  pass  to  the  windward  of  the  sev- 
enty-four. Setting  every  rag  of  canvsis  that  the  schooner 
would  bear,  careening  her  lee  gunwales  to  the  water,  she 
became  now  so  laboursome  that  it  was  necessary  to 
throw  the  lee  guns  overboard.  This  service  was  imme- 
diately performed,  and  to  our  no  small  satisfaction  she 
bounded  over  the  tremendous  sea  with  ease,  and  her 
speed  was  sensibly  increased.  It  was  not  certain,  how- 
ever, that  we  could  pass  to  windward  of  the  seventy- 
four,  at  least  it  was  not  probable  that  we  should  pass 
her  out  of  gun-shot ;  and  to  increase  our  troubles  at  this 
19 


'yr3*^T-.«ffBfc  '*>«jitiiiij.'it.#i 


m-'^ 


UFB  ON  THE   OCEAN. 

juncture,  another  sail  was  made  on  our  starboard  bow, 
standing  for  us  on  the  larboard  tack.    No  alternative 
was  now  left  us  but  to  cross  the  bows  of  the  seventy- 
four  and  take  the  chance  of  her  fire.    It  was  the  work 
of  a  few  minutes,  as  we  had  closed  in  with  her,  and  it 
became  evident  that  we  should  not  pass  more  than  half 
gun-shot  off.    The  seventy-four  perceiving  our  predica- 
ment, kept  away,  but  it  was  too  late,  she  was  now  on 
our  quarter.     We  received  her  fire  without  damage  and 
ui  the  next  ten  minutes  had  a  reefed  squaresail  set,  and 
our  noble  craft  was  running  off  at  the  rate  of  twelve 
knots.     It  became  now  a  stern  chase,  for  already  had 
the  vessel  to  windward,  which  proved  to  be  a  sloop-of- 
war,  kept  away,  and  under  a  press  of  canvas  was  bear- 
ing down  upon  our  beam.     This  was  the  hardest  chase, 
for  we  soon  altered  the  bearings  of  the  frigate  and 
seventy-four,  but  it  Avas  not  until  sunset  that  we  brought 
the  sloop-of-war  in  our  wake  about  two  miles  distance 
astern.    The  next  morning  the  gale  had  increased  and 
the  sea  had  risen  to  such  a  height,  that  scudding  be- 
came dangerous,  it  was  therefore  determined  to  bring 
the  schooner  up  to  the  wind.    No  evolution  on  board 
of  a  vessel,  especially  in  a  sharp  schooner,  is  fraught 
with  so  much  hazard  as  bringing  her  to  the  wind  in  a 
heavy  gale.    The  greatest  care  is  necessary  by  watch- 
ing the  rolling  seas,  which  are  generally  three  in  num- 
ber, after  which  it  is  proportionally  smooth  for  a  few 
seconds  ;  occasionally  in  these  intervals  the  wind  lulls, 
advantage  must  then  be  taken,  such  sail  as  the  vessel 
will  bear  must  be  set  and  well  secured,  and  then  she 
should  be  brought  to  the  wind  by  easing  her  helm  to 
leeward.    This  was  done  with  our  craft  in  a  seaman- 
like manner;  a  balanced  reefed  foresail  was  set,  the 
sheet  bowsed  taut  aft,  and  a  tackle  hooked  on  to  the 
clew,  and  it  bowsed  nearly  a-midships  with  the  helm 
two  and  a  half  points  to  leeward.    She  rode  in  this  way 
nearly  head  to  the  sea,  forging  a-head  two  knots,  and  not 
making  more  than  t*ro  and  a  half  points  lee- way.  This 
was  the  first  time  that  I  had  seen  a  craft  of  this  ^escrip- 


r  starboard  bow, 
.    No  alternative 
of  the  seventy- 
It  was  the  work 
with  her,  and  it 
ss  more  than  half 
viug  our  predica- 
she  was  now  on 
hout  damage  and 
)uaresail  set,  and 
he  rate  of  twelve 
e,  for  already  had 
i  to  be  a  sloop-of- 
canvas  was  bear- 
the  hardest  chase, 
r  the  frigate  and 
Bt  that  we  brought 
vo  miles  distance 
lad  increased  and 
that  scudding  be- 
ermined  to  bring 
[volution  on  board 
looner,  is  fraught 
to  the  wind  in  a 
ssary  by  watch- 
r  three  in  nam- 
imooth  for  a  few 
3  the  wind  lulls, 
sail  as  the  vessel 
red,  and  then  she 
sing  her  helm  to 
raft  in  a  seaman- 
tail  was  set,  the 
looked  on  to  the 
)S  with  the  helm 
lode  in  this  way 
tro  knots,  and  not 
ts  lee-way.  This 
ftofthisd«8crip- 


LIFB  ON  THE  OCEAN. 


tion  hove  to,  and  I  was  perfectly  astonished ;  for  she 
code  as  easy  and  safely  as  if  she  had  been  in  a  harbour ; 
this  easy  motion,  however,  was  owing  in  a  good  degree, 
to  the  management  of  Oapt.  N.  In  the  hands  ofone 
who  does  not  understand  managing  a  craft  of  this  de- 
scription, they  prove  the  most  uncomfortable,  as  well  as 
uneasy  vessels  that  float  the  ocean. 

The  gale  lasted  twelve  hours,  afler  which  it  mode- 
rated, and  we  bore  away  to  the  eastward,  the  wind  con- 
tinued blowing  until  the  9th  of  November,  when  we 
entered  the  famous  Bay  of  Biscay.  The  weather  now 
became  moderate,  with  a  smooth  sea,  and  we  were  all 
elated  with  the  prospect  of  reaching  our  port  of  destina- 
tion in  safety.  We  were  the  more  confirmed  in  this 
hope,  because  at  the  close  of  the  day  on  the  13th  of 
November,  we  were  within  half  a  day's  sail  of  Bordeaux, 
and  fully  expected  with  a  moderate  breeze,  to  make 
Cordovan  light-house  early  next  morning.  Alas!  how 
soon  are  the  brightest  prospects  frustrated.  At  sunset 
that  evening  it  fell  away  calm,  and  nothing  was  to  b^ 
seen  from  the  mast-head,  not  a  breath  of  air  or  "cat's 
paw,"  was  felt  during  the  whole  of  the  night.  The 
conversation  which  I  had  with  Jack  Evans,  in  the  ship 


Dromo,  on  the  night  previous  to  the  action,  was  irre- 
sistibly brought  to  my  recollection.  It  was  a  night 
similar  to  this,  and  although  it  might  have  been  a 
superstitious  feeling,  yet  I  could  not  shake  it  off,  and  a 
secret  foreboding  agitated  my  mind  and  kept  it  in  a 
state  of  the  deepest  anxiety  and  suspense.  When  the 
morning  dawn  broke  forth  conviction  came  and  sus' 
pense  was  at  an  end ;  for  there  lay  a  ship  and  two  brigs, 
with  English  ensigns  flying  at  their  peaks.  Flight  was 
now  impossible,  for  it  wbs  a  dead  calm  ;  and  resistance 
was  entirely  useless,  for  we  lay  at  the  mercy  of  their 
whole  broadsides.  Our  ensign  was  hoisted,  but  we 
well  knew  to  our  great  mortification  it  must  soon  be 
hauled  down  in  unresisting  humility. 

The  ship  first  opened  her  battel^  upon  us,  followed 
by  one  •of  the  brigs.    The  rest  is  soon  told,    llie 


"— "■Tfiii  t'-aiM  ■ 


iiidrtm'iiiii'^ihkiiitfi 


"*'"""  ""'t""  '■'IWiii'ii  I innumwi-wa 


I 


I- 

r 


1 1 


LIFE   ON  THE.  OCEAN. 

American  ensign  was  struck,  and  in  twenty  minutes 
they  had  possession  of  this  valuable  vessel  and  cargo. 
So  strong  was  my  presentiment  of  some  coming  disaster, 
that  I  had  taken  the  precaution  during  the  night  to 
sew  up  in  a  flannel  shirt  all  the  money  I  Tiad,  consisting 
of  seventeen  doubloon*,  and  then  put  it  on.  It  was 
well  I  did  so,  for  these  vessels  proved  to  be  three 
Guernsey  privateers.  The  ship  mounted  eighteen  guns 
with  seventy  men,  the  two  brigs  each  mounted  fourteen 
guns  Avith  fifty  men.  After  getting  possession  of  the 
schooner,  they  robbed  us  of  almost  everything  they 
could  lay  their  hands  upon.  Our  crew  were  distributed 
among  the  three  vessels  ;  the  captain,  myself,  and  two 
men  wSi-e  put  on  board  the  ship.  The  schooner  was 
manned  and  ordered  to  the  Island  of  Guernsey  ;  after 
which  the  privateers  separated  to  cruise  on  different 
stations.  The  destination  of  the  ship,  from  what  I  un- 
derstood, was  to  cruise  on  the  coasts  of  Spain  and  Portu- 
^1.  The  cp  plain  and  myself  received  good  treatment, 
for  after  we  had  reported  to  the  captain  of  the  privateer 
the  loss  of  our  clothing,  he  ordered  a  search  to  be  made 
for  them  and  all  were  recovered,  as  they  happened  to  be 
on  board  of  the  ship.  They  were  very  much  elated 
with  their  success,  and  assured  us  that  the  first  licensed 
sh^  they  fell  in  with,  we  should  be  released. 

Three  days  after  our  capture,  while  standing  on  a 
wind,  the  cry  of  "sail  ho!"  was  heard  fn>m  the  mast- 
head, bearin?  on  the  lee  beam.  The  ship  was  kept  off, 
until  the  strange  sail  could  be  clearly  made  out.  It 
proved  to  be  a  large  rakish  looking  schooner,  evidently 
American  by  the  set  of  her  masts,  cut  of  the  sails,  and 
colour  of  the  canvas.  It  was  immediately  suggested 
to  us  by  the  captain  of  the  ship,  that  there  was  another 
fine  prize,  and  I  was  requested  to  look  at  her  with  the 
glass.  I  soon  discovered  that  she  was  a  man-of-war  of 
some  description,  and  intimated  as  much  to  him ;  he 
was  soon  confirmed  in  this  opinion,  for  the  strange  sail 
kept  her  wind  and  manifested  no  disposition  to  get  out 
of  the  way.    When  the  ship  had  gotten  within  two 


s»^ 


1. 

n  twenty  minutes 
vessel  and  cargo, 
rie  coming  disaster, 
irinff  the  night  to 
y  I  had,  consisting 
)iit  it  on.  It  was 
oved  to  be  three 
Jted  eighteen  guns 
mounted  fourteen 
possession  of  the 
everything  they 
w  were  distributed 
II,  myself,  and  two 
The  schooner  was 
f  Guernsey ;  after 
ruise  on  different 
1,  from  what  I  un- 
f  Spain  and  Portu- 
sd  good  treatment, 
in  of  the  privateer 
search  to  be  made 
ley  happened  to  be 
very  much  elated 
It  the  first  licensed 
eleased. 

lile  standing  on  a 
ard  fn>m  the  mast- 
ship  was  kept  off, 
riy  made  out.  It 
chooner,  evidently 
It  of  the  sails,  and 
idiately  suggested 
there  was  another 
9k  at  her  with  the 
IS  a  man-of-war  of 
luch  to  him ;  he 
>r  the  strange  sail 
position  to  get  out 
)tten  within  two 


^--A^ 


f.i,  "ly  II 


LIFE   ON  THE   OCKAN. 


317 


miles  of  the  schooner,  she  hauled  her  wind  and  made 
every  preparation  for  action. 

Both  vessels  were  under  a  press  of  cauT^as,  standing 
on  a  wind  on  the  larboard  tack,  but  the  schooner  laying 
a  pomt  higher  than  the  ship  gained  up  to  windward, 
And  although  she  did  not  forge  a-head  quite  so  fast  as 
the  ship,  yet  she  was  not  more  than  a  mile  and  a  half 
astern,  exactly  in  the  wake  of  the  ship  at  sunset.    Night 
came  on  and  under  its  cover,  the  course  of  the  ship  was 
altered  m  order  if  possible,  to  elude  the  one  in  pursuit. 
I  now  perceived  that  all  on   board  were  very  much 
alarmed,  especially  the  captain.     The  crew  for  the  most 
part  were  a  set  of  raw  green-horns,  and  the  captain  well 
knew  that  no  depetidauce  could  he  placed  in  them.    At 
10  o'clock,  the  wind  dying  away  to  a  perfect  calm,  all 
hands  were  at  their  quarters  and  the  strictest  look-out 
was  kept.    Our  vessel  now  made  sure  that  they  had 
gotten  clear  of  the  schooner,  for  the  night  was  very 
dark  and  cloudy;  but  to  their  great  surprise,  at  half  past 
ten,  there  she  was  not  more  than  two  musket  shots  off. 
It  was  a  night  of  deep  suspense  to  all  and  especially 
to  us.    The  captain  of  the  ship  was  aware,  that  the 
schooner  would  not  engage  in  the  night,  consequently 
every  advantage  was  taken  of  l^e  wind  to  get  clear  of 
her,  but  it  was  all  in  vain.    At  daylight  in  the  morning 
the  schooner  was  about  a  mile  astern  ;   the  ship  at  this 
tune  was  under  a  cloud  of  sail,  but  it  was  soon  perceived 
that  the  enemy  came  up  with  her. 

Capt.  N.  and  myself  were  now  ordered  below,  when 
a  running  fight  commenced,  the  ship  discharging  her 
stern-chasers  in  quick  succession,  and  the  schooner 
discharging  her  forward  division,  which  cut  away  the 
stem  boat  and  part  of  her  starboard  quarter. "  In  half 
an  hour  the  contest  was  decided ;  most  of  the  ship's 
crew  having  deserted  their  quarters,  the  British  flag  was 
hauled  down,  and  she  became  a  prize  to  the  PaulJones 
privateer,  of  New  York,  mounting  eighteen  guns,  with 
a  comiplement  of  one  hundred  and  twenty  men.  The 
boats  itnmediately  came  from  the  privaieer  and  the  crew 
'  19» 


I 


c.-MIIIIWWti  II I    'I* 


iiiwwr*''''ni."»i''—('<  ■"  I 


iii»iiiiuij:fiuw.u 


218 


LIFE   ON  THE   OCEAN. 


of  the  ship  was  sent  on  board  the  schooner.  Nov  a 
scene  of  plunder  and  robbery  was  perpetrated  by  the 
privateer's  crew,  which  beggars  all  description  ;  every 
article  of  clothing  and  stores,  which  they  could  lay  their 
hands  upon,  were  taken  without  any  ceremony.  The 
crew  were  a  perfect  set  of  desperadoes  and  outlowp, 
whom  the  officers  could  neither  restrain  nor  command, 
Capt.  N.  and  myself  v/ere  now  conveyed  to  the  priva- 
teer without  our  clothes,  for  we  had  shared  the  like  fate 
with  the  crew  of  the  ship,  by  having  our  trunks  broken 
open  and  robbed  of  all  their  contents. 

The  excitement  being  over,  a  prizemaster  and  crew 
were  put  on  board  of  the  ship  and  she  was  ordered  to 
the  United  States.  Capt.  N.  prevailed  with  the  captain 
•f  the  privateer  to  let  him  proceed  in  her,  but  all  the 
arguments  I  could  make  use  of  to  accompany  him  were 
fruitless  ;  so  I  concluded  to  make  the  best  of  a  bad  bar- 
gain, and  was  induced  by  the  persuasions  of  the  captain, 
ail''  the  prospect  of  gain  held  out  to  me,  to  enter  as 
prizemaster.  The  next  cruising  ground  was  in  the 
neighbourhood  of  the  Western  Islands,  to  which  with 
all  possible  despatch  we  repaired. 

It  may  not  be  out  of  place  here  to  present  the  reader 
with  a  sketch  of  the  characters  of  the  men  with  whom  I 
was  now  associated.  Capt.  T.  a  man  of  about  thirty- 
five  years  of  age,  was  a  gentleman  in  his  manners,  yet 
impatient  of  contradiction,  bold  and  fearless,  generally 
acted  with  great  precipitation  and  consequently  without 
the  exercise  of  much  judgment.  Mr.  B.  the  1st  lieu- 
tenant, was  an  educated  man,  a  good  seaman,  cool  and 
intrepid,  and  was  strongly  marked  with  the  protuberance 
of  cause  and  effect.  Mr.  J.  *he  2d  lieutenant,  was  about 
thirty  years  of  age,  an  active  seaman,  with  limited  edu- 
cation, but  was  a  smart  and  enterprising  officer.  Mr.  O. 
the  3d  lieutenant,  was  a  young  man  who  did  not  seem 
to  be  designed  for  the  perils  of  war  or  the  hara&hips  of  a 
sea  life ;  he  was  amiable,  but  being  limited  in  his  kno^- 
ledee  of  seamanship,  had  very  little  confidence  in  him- 
seu;    I  understood,  however,  that  his  courage  was  un- 


mi  ifti^iii  i.iiir-  ruw-- • . 


.■i.Jt«*i«»'**iWw<ii(K---.^'  ■^   ■ 


chooner.  Now  a 
jrpetrated  by  the 
!Scription  ;  every 
cy  could  lay  their 
ceremony.  The 
oes  and  outlowc, 
lin  nor  command . 
eyed  to  the  priva- 
iiared  the  Uke  fate 
)ur  trunks  broken 

?master  and  crew 
he  was  ordered  to 
i  with  tlie  captain 
n  her,  but  all  the 
ompany  him  were 
best  of  a  bad  bar- 
ons of  the  captain, 

0  me,  to  enter  as 
)und  was  in  the 
ids,  to  which  with 

1  present  the  reader 
men  with  whom  I 
in  of  about  thirty- 
1  his  manners,  yet 
fearless,  geuendly 
sequently  without 

.  B.  the  1st  lieu- 
seaman,  cool  and 
the  protuberance 
tenant,  was  about 
with  limited  edu- 
g  officer.    Mr.  O. 
who  did  not  seem 
the  harabhips  of  a 
ited  in  his  kno^- 
ufidence  in  him- 
couiage  was  un- 


•'"WSE'fAi 


LIFE   ON  THE   OCEAN. 


1^19 


■^^Lti^A.,>Ji'ii^A^ 


doubted.  Mr.  W.  the  sailing-master,  was  about  fifty 
years  of  age,  had  formerly  been  captain  of  a  West  India- 
man  out  of  Connecticut,  a  tolerable  good  seaman  and 
navigator,  but  he  was  a  low,  mean-spirited  chap,  a  kind 
of  anomaly,  possessing  none  of  those  noble  and  generous 
qualities  which  characterize  a  sailor — avaricious  to  the 
last  degree,  and  would  resort  to  the  meanest  acts  to 
acquire  gain.  The  prizemasters,  six  in  number,  (in- 
cluding myself,)  were  a  set  of  jolly  fellows,  and  believed 
themselves  to  be  superior  in  rank  and  talent  to  any  on 
board  except  the  captain,  because  they  concluded  that 
they  would  be  installed  into  the  office  of  commander 
before  the  cruise  was  up,  Mr.  C.  lieuteitant  of  marines, 
was  neither  soldier  nor  sailor,  had  been  a  sort  of  coun- 
try lawyer,  and  would  rather  sit  down  to  a  good  dinner 
than  face  an  enemy.  In  going  through  the  drill  exercise, 
he  might  appropriately  be  called  "Captain  Bunker"  of 
the  privateer.  The  surgeon  very  much  resembled,  to 
ray  imagiiiation,  the  apothecary  of  Shakspeare ;  he  was 
somewhat  advanced  in  years,  and  liad,  in  the  days  of 
his  youth,  read  physic  in  a  doctor's  office,  and  listened 
to  some  half  dozen  lectures  in  a  medical  college,  and 
then  was  dubbed  M.  1).  and  let  off  with  a  diploma,  lan- 
cet and  pill-box,  to  practice  upon  a  credulous  public. 
He  had  obtained  some  little  celebrity  by  the  amputation 
of  a  limb,  but  as  he  could  not  subsist  upon  fame  exclu- 
sively, being  well  nigh  starved  to  death  for  want  of 
patients,  he  resolved  (to  use  his  own  expression)  to  sink 
or  swim,  by  plunging  into  the  turbulent  scenes  of 
war.  Hi&  usual  remedy  to  a  sick  sailor  was  a  pint  of 
salt  water,  because,  he  said,  other  medicines  were  too 
costly  to  be  lavished  on  a  common  sailor,  aiid  because, 
he  aaded,  it  was  a  safe  and  easy  remedy,  always  at  hand, 
and  cost  nothing.  On  one  occasion,  the  doctor  unfortu- 
nately fell  from  the  gangway  rail  on  the  deck,  and  hurt 
himself  very  seriously ;  a  wag  of  a  sailor  hove  a  budget 
over  the  side  and  drew  up  some  water,  and  immediately 
presented  the  poor  surgeon  with  a  tin  pot  full,  swearing 
U  was  the  best  medicine  that  could  be  given  for  a  wound 


:V{ 


'iltmiitim»m.lmi<.mi'n:'^i; 


m 


wmiimfmm 


i 


LIFE   ON  THE   OCEAN. 

or  fractured  limb,  "because,"  he  added,  with  a  broad 
grin,  "it  is  safe  and  easy,  and  costs  nothing." 

And  now  for  the  crew ;  but  here  description  fails. 
The  English  language  is  too  i»oor  adequately  to  do 
them  justice.  Imagine  to  yourself,  reader,  a  company 
of  eighty  men  selected  from  the  very  elite  and  respecta- 
ble portions  of  the  lowest  sinks  located  in  the  "Five 
Points,"  ''Hook,"  and  other  places  of  like  celebrity  in 
New  Yuri..  Here  they  were,  a  motley  crew  of  loafers, 
highbinders,  butcher  boys,  (kc.  &.c.  To  be  sure  there 
were  now  and  then  a  good  and  true  hearted  sailor 
among  them,  but"Uke  angels'  visits,  they  were  few  and 
far  between."  As  it  may  well  be  supposed,  long  con- 
finement with  such  a  company  as  above  described, 
could  not  bean  enviable  siuiation  to  a  man  of  taste,  but 
the  continual  hurry-scurry,  uproar  and  excitement  on 
Board  o^  a  privateer,  leaves  but  a  short  time  for  reflec- 
tion ;  and  furthermore  being  creatures  of  imitation  we 
soon  become  insensibly  conformed  to  the  daily  habits 
of  surrounding  associations.  This  was  my  case,  for 
although  my  better  judgment  taught  me  to  despise  this 
mode  of  warfare — at  best  in  my  opinion  it  is  only  a 
systematic  method  to  plunder  unoffending  men — yet  I 
soou  became  in  some  degree  recruiilcd  to  "my  oituation. 


- » liiwiilinw  mitt  r  aiiWp:jpu-ini'»ii •; ,  <  i  nfiilHwiii  - 


■«^«M 


ed,  with  a  broad 
(thing." 

description  failn. 
adequately  to  do 
reader,  a  company 
elite  and  rcspecta- 
ited  in  tfie  "Five 
like  celebrity  in 
•y  crew  of  loafers, 
To  be  sure  there 
ue  hearted  sailor 
hey  were  few  and 
pposed,  long  con- 
above  described, 
man  of  taste,  but 
id  excitement  on 
rt  time  for  reflec- 
s  of  imitation  we 
the  daily  habits 
vas  my  case,  for 
ne  to  despise  this 
nion  it  is  only  a 
idiiig  men — yet  I 
d  to  "my  situation. 


CHAPTER  XX. 

OAPTVRi:   or   PBIZEg—OHASE— TERMINATION   Or    CRUISE,   ftO. 

On  the  morning  of  the  21st,  of  November,  the  priva- 
teer  had  reached  her  cruising  gnmnd,  and  on  the  after- 
noon of  the  same  day  made  the  island  of  Terceira,  one 
ottlie  group  of  the  Azores  or  Western   Islands.     The 
thud  day  alter  cruising  around  those  islands,  a  small 
l^nglish  brig,  bound  to  Fayal,  was  captured  without 
resistance  ;  she  was  manned  and  ordered  to  the  United 
States.     On  the  afternoon  of  the  same  day,  we  took  a 
small  English  schooner  bound  to  Terceira,  the  i&iand 
being  then  m  sight.    We  released  our  prisoners  and 
putting  them  all  on  board  this  vessel  they  steered  awav 
for  the  island.    From  the  captain  of  the  small  schooner, 
we  obtained  information  that  the  Lisbon  and  Mediter- 
ranean fleets  of  merchantmen,  under  a  stronj?  convoy 
had  sailed  from  England.     We  lost  no  time,  therefore! 
after  ridding  ourselves  of  the  prisoners,  to  get  on  the 
Lisbon  station,  so  that  if  p<:»ssible  we  might  intercept 
some  of  the  fleet.     A  few  days  with  a  strong  westerly 
breeze,  brought  us  up  to  our  cruising  ground.     Three 
days  thereafter  we  fell  in  with  a  large  British  brig,  and 
after  a  sharp  action  of  forty  minutes  succeeded  in 
capturing  her.    She  was  from  Cork  bound  to  Cadiz, 
with  a  rich  and  valuable  cargo,  consisting  of  Irish  cut 

glass,  linens,  (fee.  She  was  manned  and  ordered  to 
le  United  States  where  she  safely  arrived,  and  the 
vessel  and  cargo  sold  for  nearly  four  hundred  thousand 
dollars.  This  was  the  richest  prize  taken  during  the 
cruise,  and  caused  the  most  extravagant  expressions  of 
joy  among  the  crew ;  but  the  cruise  wcs  not  yet  up, 


n 


I  , 


L 


222 


LIFE   ON   THE   OCEAN. 


Entertaining  serious  doubts  as  to  the  privateer's  sailing, 
I  was  under  the  impression  that  a  smart  sailing  man-of- 
.war  with  any  chance  would  capture  us,  for  she  could 
not  compete  with  the  letter  of  nianiue  which  I  was  last 
on  board  of,  in  point  of  sailing.  The  next  day  after  the 
capture  of  the  brig,  a  large  sail  was  made,  broad  off  on 
the  starboard  bow.  VVe  soon  came  up  with  the  chase 
and  she  proved  to  be  an  American  ship  bound  to 
Lisbon.  Captain  T.  suspecting  that  she  was  sailing 
under  a  Briiish  license  made  the  most  diligent  search 
for  it,  but  for  a  long  time  without  effect.  At  length, 
however,  the  anchors  were  unstockcd,  and  to  our  great 
satisfaction  wo  found  thti  license  concealed  between  the 
upper  and  lower  parts  <  i  the  uiiclmr  stock.  Of  course 
this  settled  her  business,  she  was  a  good  prize  and  we 
despatched  her  to  tli-.-  Jmitod  States,  all  of  the  crew, 
except  the  officers,  entor'ni^  on  board  the  privateer.  . 

At  daylight  in  the  moniiiig,  December  4th,  we  fell  in 
with  the  combined  Lisbon  and  Mediterranean  fleets ; 
they  were  far  to  leeward  of  us,  consequently  we  had 
the  advantage  of  choosing  our  position  and  harrassing 
them  under  cover  of  the  night ;  but  we  soon  perceived 
Captain  T's  intention  was  to  nni  into  the  midst  of  the 
fleet  in  ti.  "i  day  time.  Against  this  mode  of  procedure 
every  offitti'  on  board  remonstrated  loudly  ;  the  captain 
however  wa?  obstinate,  the  privateer  run  down  amidst 
the  fleet,  hauled  up  alongside  of  a  large  ship  and  engag- 
ed her  at  pistol  shot  distance.  Signals  were  now  made 
by  all  of  the  fleet  for  an  enemy.  The  convoy  being  in 
the  van,  quickly  perceived  what  was  going  on,  and  a 
iiigate  and  sloop-of-war  were  seen  bearing  down  upon 
us  under  a  press  of  canvas.  No  other  alternative  was 
left  but  to  run.  The  wind  being  moderate  the  privateer 
was  kept  before  it  dropping  the  frigate,  but  the  sloop-of- 
war  gained  upon  us,  and  it  seemed  to  be  almost  certain 
<4flrgaff  shot,  she  let  drive  her  bow-chasers'.  The  im^ 
^jjRJrstW  WOiild  bring  us  to  an  action  T  tuT  wRen  witfi^ 
^^peicUment  attendant  upon  the  firing,  together  with  her 
yawing  to  bring  her  guns  to  bear,  the  privateer  gained 


irivateer's  sailing, 
rt  sailing  man-of- 
is,  for  she  could 
which  I  was  last 
lext  day  after  the 
mde,  broad  off  on 
p  with  the  chase 
1   ship  bound   to 
she  was  sailing 
St  diligent  search 
tFect.     At  length, 
,  and  to  our  great 
saled  between  the 
lock.     Of  course 
x)d  prize  and  we 
all  of  the  crew, 
le  privateer.  . 
)or  4th,  we  fell  in 
itcrranenn  fleets ; 
jquently  wo  had 
n  and  harrassing 
ire  soon  perceived 
I  the  midst  of  the 
ode  of  procedure 
idly  -,  the  captain 
un  down  amidst 
ship  and  engage 
wore  now  made 
convoy  being  in 
going  on,  and  a 
ring  down  upon 
alternative  was 
Irate  the  privateer 
but  the  sloop-of- 
le  almost  certain 
lasers^    The  im;D 
Ml  wTieii  witK^ 
•gather  with  her 
privateer  gained 


Lire  ON  THB   OOBAN. 


998 


about  a  quarter  of  a  mile.  By  running  thf  gtins  forward 
and  aft,  tlie  schooner  was  put  in  proper  trim,  and  it 
soon  became  evident  that  we  wore  rapidly  leaving  the 
chase  astern.  After  running  us  about  six  liours,  directly 
to  leeward  of  the  tloet,  the  enoniy  hauled  her  wind  and 
gave  up  further  pursuit.  This  unfortunate  headstrong 
adventure  on  the  part  of  Captain  T.  was  the  cause  of 
destroying  all  confidcncu  in  him.  If  he  had  take^ 
advice  and  kcpl  a  proiwr  position  to  the  windward,  no 
doubt  under  cover  of  the  night,  wo  might  have  captured 
two  or  throe  of  tho  fleet,  and  thus  completed  our  cruise. 
But  as  it  was,  we  ran  into  the  most  imminent  danger 
without  the  Ictist  prol)ability  of  capturing  a  single  vessel. 
A  day  or  two  after,  a  large  ship  was  made  to  the 
windward,  having  a  main  tnp-gallantsail  set,  and  her 
fore  and  mizen  ton-galluntmasts  down.  As  we  closed 
in  with  Iter  some  oales  of  cotton  were  seen  lashed  on 
the  quarter.  1  was  sent  aloft  with  the  glass  to  watch 
her  movements,  and  soon  ascertained  that  she  was  a 
man-of-war  in  disguise,  and  reported  my  conjecture  to 
the  captain,  who  made  light  of  it  at  first',  but  his  tune, 
however,  soon  changed  when  he  saw  her  bear  up,  and  in 
fifteen  minutes  she  was  under  a  cloud  of  canvas  in  pur- 
suit of  us.  The  wind  was  blowing  fresh  on  shore,  and  as 
we  had  made  the  land  that  morning,  we  knew  that  we  were 
not  more  than  fitrty  miles  distant  from  it.  It  was  now 
about  3  o'clock  in  the  afternoon.  It  appeared  to  be  the 
object  of  the  frigate,  in  case  we  outsailed  her,  to  run  us 
ashore.  This  was  the  hardest  chase  we  had  during  the 
whole  time  I  was  on  board  ;  no  diflerence  was  percep- 
tible in  the  sailing  of  the  Iwo  vessels  We  were  run- 
ning at  the  rate  of  eleven  knots  per  hour,  consequently 
in  tour  hours  with  the  same  speed  we  should  be  hi^n 
and  dry  ashore.  The  days,  however,  being  short  at 
this  season  of  the  year,  our  main  hope  was  to  elude  the 
enemy  when  ni^ht  came  on.  At  sunset  the  land  was 
full  in  sight,  distant  about  twenty  miles,  and  as  we 
were  running  directly  for  it,  in  two  hours  we  should 
either  be  a  prize  or  a  wreck,  unless  we  could  evi^e 


'■\m ' 


^.  ,mKjku\Miei-^. 


984 


LIFB   ON   THE   OCBAIf. 


UA 


him  by  some  stratagem.  Tho  greatest  anxiety  and 
excitement  reigned  throughout  the  privateer.  The  crew 
.were  packing  up  their  traps,  and  tho  olficers  manifested 
the  deepest  suspense  -,  fortunately  the  weather  waa 
cloudy,  and  as  night  shut  in  intensely  dark,  our  only 
chance  was  to  profit  by  it.  Tho  lights  wtre  now  ail 
put  out  and  profound  silence  enjoined.  The  frigate 
on  account  of  tho  darkness  could  not  be  seen.  The 
privateer  was  lulled  to  on  tho  starboard  tuck,  every 
sail  lowered,  and  nothing  was  to  be  seen  except  her 
hull  and  polos.  In  about  ten  minutes  the  frigate 
appeared  under  a  cloud  of  canvas  about  two  hundred 
yards  from  us,  flying  away  to  leeward  like  a  race  horse. 
Wo  now  hauled  on  a  wind  to  the  eastward,  ai»d  saw  no 
more  of  the  frigate.  Captain  T.  decided  to  make  a  dash 
into  tho  Irish  channel,  to  intercept  the  West  India 
fleet,  which  was  destined  to  sail  in  a  few  days,  having 
made  their  rendezvous  at  Cork.  Wc  obtained  this 
information  from  the  raptured  brig.  A  few  days  not 
only  brought  us  to  our  station  but  it  also  terminated  our 
cruise,  as  will  be  seen  in  the  sequel. 

On  the  morning  of  December  14th,  it  blowing  fresh 
from  the  south-west  with  thick  foggy  weather,  we  were 
in  the  midst  of  the  VV^est  India  fleet  befbro  we  saw 
them,  they  having  sailed  from  Cork  the  day  previous. 
No  better  opjxirtunity  could  be  wished  for  to  make 
captures  than  the  one  before  us ;  the  fog  would  some- 
times clear  up  and  then  shut  in  thick,  so  that  we  could 
select  any  vessel  wo  chose.  Hauling  alongside  of  a 
fine  largo  brig,  we  boarded  and  captured  lier  in  ten 
minutes.  A  prizemaster  and  crew  were  put  on  board 
of  her  with  orders  to  remain  with  the  fleet  until  night, 
and  then  make  the  best  of  their  way  to  any  port  in  the 
United  States.  As  I  had  succeeded  in  boarding  and 
capturing  this  vessel  with  only  tho  assistance  of  five 
men ,  '  was  promised  the  finest  ship  in  the  fleet  by 
Cap, din  T.  The  promise  was  somewhat  premature, 
the  fulfilment  rather  problematical.  As  the  tog  cleared 
up  we  selr.  .jd  a  large  ship  and  I  of  course  got  ready 


mmmm 


ktest  anxiety  and 
vateer.   The  crew 
ninccTs  manifested 
the  weatiier  was 
Ay  dark,  our  onlv 
hts  wtre  now  all 
lied.    The  frigate 
ot  be  seen.    The 
board  tuck,  every 
e  seen  except  her 
inutes  the  frigate 
joiit  two  liundred 
1  like  a  race  horse, 
twnrd,  aikl  saw  no 
led  to  make  a  dash 
t  the   West   India 
a  few  days,  having 
Wo  obtained   this 
A  few  days  not 
also  terminated  our 

p,  it  blowing  frosh 
weather,  Ave  were 
et  before  we  saw 
the  day  previous, 
shed  for  to  make 
3  fog  would  some- 
c,  so  that  we  could 
ing  alongside  of  a 
ptured  her  in  ten 
were  put  on  board 
e  fleet  until  night, 
to  any  port  in  the 
.  in  boarding  and 
assistance  of  five 
ip  in  the  fleet  by 
lewhat  premature, 
As  the  fog  cleared 
f  courae  got  ready 


UFR   OS  THE   OCBAN. 

and  picked  my  prize  crew  to  take  possession  of  her 
without  farther  a(lo.  The  fofj;  now  set  in  so  thick  that 
no  object  was  visible  five  yards  distatu'*!,  and  when  it 
lifled  tlicro  lay  a  frigato  on  our  starboard  bow,  not  more 
than  a  musket  shot  olf.  l!:^ho  (inickly  saw  us,  luit  being 
on  dirt'oreut  tacks,  she  stood  on  until  she  i^ot  under  our 
larboard  unarler,  then  tacked,  and  gave  ns  a  taslc  of  her 
forward  divisir»n,  which  did  us  no  oihcr  <laiiiago  than 
to  cut  away  two  of  the  leo  main-shrouils.  In  half  an 
hour  it  wa»  ciui.rly  ascertained  that  w*;  outsailed  the 
frigate  on  a  wind.  Captain  T.  now  hdil  a  council  with 
the  olFicers,  and  propivsed  to  bear  up  l)o(I>ro  tlio  wind,  as 
that  was  the  privatoer's  best  sailiny;  (piaiily,  adding  that 
no  doubt  could  be  entertained,  but  that  wo  could  beat 
the  frigate  before  a  wind,  and  in  the  end  by  thus 
manujuvring,  we  should  save  our  prize.  The  strongest 
objections  wore  urged  to  this  proposal,  es|ieciully  by  tho 
first  lieutenant,  who  declared  it  to  bo  bis  opinion,  that 
if  the  privateer  was  kept  away,  wo  should  l)e  a  prize  ia 
thirty  minutes.  All  opinions  and*renioiistrances  were 
entirely  thrown  away  upon  the  captain.  Every  sail  was 
got  ready,  the  helm  put  up,  and  in  a  few  minutes  she 
was  under  a  cloud  of  canvas  before  the  wind.  It  was 
not  long  before  Captain  T.  saw  his  egic^ious  error,  for 
it  will  be  evident  to  every  seaman  that  v/e  were  now 
running  nearly  in  a  line  to  meet  the  friqale.  The  latter 
qui''  v' perceiving  our  mistake,  kept  lier  wind,  and  as 
lUen  was  no  time  now  to  be  lost  with  \\s,  the  helm  was 
put  down,  and  the  privateer  brought  to  the  wind ;  in 
the  act  of  doing  which,  she  gave  us  another  division 
»f  her  eighteen  pounders,  which  cut  away  the  fore- 
4utf,  the  slings  of  the  fore-yard,  and  riddled  our  lower 
sails,  and  to  add  to  the  dilhculty,  our  unforiunate  ma- 
noDUvre  gave  the  frigate  the  weather  guage  of  us — the 
principal  sail  too  had  become  useless  from  the  loss  of 
the  gaff".  The  next  discliarge  from  the  frigate  cut 
away  the  main-topman  lift.  There  being  a  heavy  sea 
on  at  the  time,  the  main-boom  got  command  of  the 
quarter  deck,  and  carried  away  the  bulwarks  from  the 

ao 


.,.iiiiitiiwr^rii»iiii  ii'riii«'4-« 


, 


LIFE   ON  THE   OCEAN. 

taffirail  to  the  gangway.  The  frigate  now  overhauled 
us  without  any  difficulty,  and  opened  a  most  murderous 
fire  with  the  marines.  We  were  unable  to  haul  down 
our  colors  from  the  fact  of  the  topman-lift  having  been 
shot  away.  Seven  men  killed  and  fifteen  wounded, 
lay  on  our  decks,  and  notwithstanding  the  frigate  must 
have  perceived  that  we  were  so  much  cut  up,  that  we 
had  no  command  of  the  privateer,  and  that  she  lay  like 
a  log  upon  the  water,  nevertheless  she  poured  into  us 
her  quarter  deck  carronadcs,  which  striking  us  a-mid- 
ships,  nearly  cut  our  craft  in  halves.  It  was  about  four 
hours  from  the  time  we  fell  in  with  the  frigate  until  the 
time  of  our  capture,  and  in  about  one  hour  after,  all  of 
our  crew  were  snugly  stowed  away  ou  board  of  the 
frigate. 

The  prisoners  were  shoved  down  into  the  cable  tiers, 
but  the  ofiicers  seven  in  number,  were  politeTy  treated 
with  the  soft  side  of  a  plank  against  the  ward  room 
bulkhead.  We  were  robbed  of  nearly  all  our  clothing, 
and  as  roughly  used'  as  if  we  had  been  pirates.  The 
prize  was  manned  and  ordered  into  Plymouth,  where 
to  our  great  satisfaction  she  never  arrived,  having  sunk 
off"  the  land's  end.  The  crew  however,  were  saved  in  the 
boats. 

The  next  morning  the  cry  of  "sail  ho !"  was  heard 
fi^m  the  frigate's  mast-head ;  in  three  hours  she  was  up 
with  the  vessel,  and  to  our  great  mortification,  it  proved 
to  be  the  prize  brig  we  had  taken  from  the  fleet.  When 
possession  was  taken  of  her,  the  prizemaster  and  nearly 
the  whole  crew  were  found  drunk.  It  appeared  thoy 
did  not  make  sail  on  the  vessel  during  the  night,  and 
on  being  interrogated,  the  prizemaster  was  entirely 
ignorant  of  the  position  of  the  brig.  Great  exultation 
was  now  manifested  by  the  ofiicers  of  the  frigate,  and 
to  use  their  own  expression,  they  had  now  taken  the 
"Paul  Jones  and  his  mate." 

In  fifty  hours  the  frigate  was  at  an  anchor  in  Ply- 
mouth harbour,  and  we  were  all  put  on  boaid  of  a 
prison-ship,  with  the  exception  of  the  captain,  &rst 


r  V'Stt^^j 


-^ii^fi»lia*-^-.'^e^^.ik^'fk.mtiiia'^^i-~atti'-  -'^1^»^- <> 


3  now  overhauled 
a  most  murderous 
ble  to  haul  down 
n-lift  having  been 
fifteen  wounded, 
g  the  frigate  must 
;h  cut  up,  that  we 
d  that  she  lay  like 
lie  poured  into  us 
striking  us  a-mid- 
It  was  about  four 
le  frigate  until  the 
le  hour  after,  all  of 
'  on  board  of  the 

nto  the  cable  tiers, 
ire  politely  treated 
St  the  ward  room 
y  all  our  clothing, 
een  pirates.  The 
)  Plymouth,  where 
ived,  having  sunk 
r,  were  saved  in  the 

1  ho !"  was  heard 
lours  she  was  up 

tification,  it  proved 
the  fleet.    When 

master  and  nearly 
It  appeared  they 
the  night,  and 

ister  was  entirely 
Great  exultation 

)f  the  frigate,  and 

ad  now  taken  the 

an  anchor  in  Ply- 
ut  on  boaid  of  a 
the  captain,  first 


ig 


LIFE   ON  THE   OCEAN. 


2gr 


lieutenant  and  surgeon,  who  were  entitled  to  parole. 
Here  we  found  already  three  hundred  and  fifty  Ameri- 
can prisoners,  who  were  crammed  away  on  the  two 
decks  of  an  old  condenmed  seventy -four,  fitted  up  for 
that  purpose  and  strongly  guarded.  We  remained  in 
this  ship  four  weeks,  during  which  time  the  number  of 
American  prisoners  was  augmented  to  six  hundred  ;  it 
became  necessary,  therefore,  in  view  of  this  daily  in- 
crease, to  send  the  prisoners  to  depots  allotted  for  that 
purpose.  Accordingly  several  drafts  were  ordered  to 
Stapleton,  near  Bristol,  a  distance  of  one  hundred  and 
thirty  miles.  It  fell  to  my  lot  to  be  one  of  the  number 
composing  these  drafts,  and  I  was  not  a  little  pleased, 
for  I  considered  that  any  prison  would  be  preferable  to 
the  unwholesome  air  and  close  confinement  of  a  ship, 
into  which  five  hundred  human  souls  were  crammed. 

Janvary  25,  1813. — The  number  of  prisoners  con- 
tained in  each  escort  were  one  hundred,  guarded  by 
two  hundred  foot  soldiers  and  fifty  dragoons.  Our 
march  was  severe,  having  to  perform  a  distance  of  from 
fifteen  to  twenty-five  miles  per  day.  Many  of  the  pri- 
soners broke  down  from  fatiguOj  consequently  had  to 
be  transported  in  wagons.  Se^en  days  brought  us  to 
our  journey's  end,  when  we  were  put  into  a  strong 
prison,  with  three  thousand  French  prisoners. 

Our  prospects  now  were  indeed  gloomy.  As  for  my 
own  part,  I  hacT  been  buoyed  up  with  the  hope  of  being 
exchanged,  which  hope,  however,  was  now  at  an  end ; 
and  1  had  nothing  to  cheer  my  spirits  but  the  very 
pleasing  prospect  of  a  confinement  during  the  remainder 
of  the  war,  unless  I  could  devise  some  pian  to  effect  an 
escape;  besides,  I  had  been  improvident  with  what 
money  I  had,  sharing  it  with  my  fellow  oflicers,  so  that 
all  I  had  left  out  of  my  seventeen  doubloons,  when  I 
entered  this  prison,  was  about  forty  dollars;  this  sum, 
at  furthest,  would  not  last  over  six  months,  especially  as 
the  allowance  from  the  British  government  was  so  small 
and  miserably  bad,  -that  without  other  means  of  sub- 
sistence no  man  could  exist.    We  received  but  one 


Hf 


■<ia 


M 

I 


f 


'JlP 


■«.u»»Art!i>to:^«.V»tiS^'- ' 


"W^ 


228 


LIFE   ON  THE   OCEAN. 


pound  and  a  half  of  black  bread  per  man,  which  when 
pressed  together  might  be  encompassed  in  a  man's  hand. 
This,  with  a  half  of  a  |x)und  of  raw  fresh  meat — the 
bones  being  always  included  in  the  weight — was  the 
whole  aiiowiince  for  twenty-four  hours.  1  have  often 
weighed  my  allowance  of  meat  after  it  was  boiled,  and 
it  never  went  beyond  three  ounces. 

In  three  months  after  our  entrance  into  this  place,  the 
America:!  prisoners  presented  a  sad  spectacle  of  wretch- 
edness and  misery.  Naturally  improvident,  and  at  the 
same  timo  restless,  always  planning  schemes  to  effect 
their  escape,  they  could  not  bring  themselves  to  any 
species  of  labour;  many  of  them,  too,  coming  from  the 
worst  grades  of  society,  with  habits  imbibed  from  those 
haunts  of  wretchedness,  soon  lost,  by  gambling,  what 
little  means  they  had.  This  was  not  all ;  they  sacri- 
ficed their  clothing  to  this  nefarious  practice,  and  now 
pinched  with  cold,  and  half  starved  for  want  of  food, 
and  with  no  regular  mode  of  exercise,  disease  began  to 
make  its  appearance  among  them,  in  its  very  worst 
fonn.  Many  sickened  and  died,  others  became  almost 
frantic  with  hunger,  and  that  most  abominable  vice, 
theft,  was  perpetrated  upon  one  another  with  impunity. 
I  have  actually  seen  one  hundred  or  more  of  these  half 
starved  wretches  scraping  out  from  the  piles  of  offal 
thrown  from  the  prison,  potatoe  and  turnip  skins,  and 
whatever  they  could  find  to  masticate,  to  satisfy  their 
raging  hunger.  Those  who  had  money  fared  well,  from 
the  fact  that  the  French  prisoners  were  allowed  a  market, 
outside  of  the  first  wall,  and  as  the  whole  of  these  men 
were  industrious,  and  brought  themselves  systematically 
to  some  pursuit,  they  manufactured  a  variety  of  articles, 
such  as  lace,  straw  plait  for  bonnets,  bone  work  of  almost 
every  description,  instruments  of  music,  and  miniature 
ships,  &c.  &c,  which  were  bought  up  by  the  country 
people  or  exchanged  for  their  produce.  Indeed,  these 
French  prisoners  had  become  so  thoroughly  reconciled 
to  their  situation,  (some  of  them  having  been  here  six 
and  eight  years,)  that  their  minds  appeared  to  be  wholly 


man,  which  when 
d  in  a  man's  hand. 
w  fresh  meat — the 
weight — was  the 
urs.  1  have  often 
it  was  boiled,  and 

into  this  place,  the 

pectacle  of  wretch- 

vident,  and  at  the 

schemes  to  effect 

themselves  to  any 

>,  coming  from  the 

mbibed  from  those 

)y  gambling,  what 

lOt  all ;   they  sacri- 

practice,  and  now 

for  want  of  food, 

!,  disease  began  to 

in  its  very   worst 

ers  became  almost 

abominable  vice, 

er  with  impunity. 

more  of  these  half 

the   piles  of  offal 

turnip  skias,  and 

lie,  to  satisfy  their 

ey  fared  well,  from 

i  allowed  a  market, 

hole  of  these  men 

Ives  systematically 

variety  of  articles, 

)ne  work  of  almost 

sic,  and  miniature 

p  by  the  country 

:e.     Indeed,  these 

oughly  reconciled 

ng  been  here  six 

ared  to  be  wholly 


LIFB   ON  THE   OCEAN. 


S8» 


occupied  with  gain.  I  knew  many  of  them  who,  when 
peace  was  effected  between  France  and  Etigland,  had 
saved  from  one  to  two  thousand  guineas,  and  there  were 
some  who  did  not  actually  wish  to  leave  the  prison. 
This  depot  for  prisoners  of  war  is  situated  in  Staple- 
ton,  a  village  about  five  miles  north  of  Bristol.  The  coun- 
try around  it  is  highly  cultivated  and  presents  one  of 
the  most  beautiful  scenes  I  ever  witnessed.    From  the 

Erisons  may  be  seen  the  magnificent  grounds  and  castle 
elonging  to  the  duke  of  Devonshire.  The  buildings, 
three  in  number,  are  capable  of  containing  fifteen  hun- 
dred men  each  ;  the  ground  on  which  they  stand  may, 
perhaps,  cover  an  area. of  a  quarter  of  a  mile.  The' 
yard,  in  the  form  of  a  circle,  is  surrounded  with  a  strong 
wall,  say  fourteen  feet  in  height,  on  the  top  of  which,  at 
intervals,  are  cannons  planted,  and  a  sentinel  stationed 
at  each  gun;  outside  of  this  wall,  runs  a  ditch  twenty 
feet  broad.  Sentinels  are  so  posted  around  the  yard,  both 
day  and  night,  that  it  is  almost  impossible  to  effect  an 
escape  from  the  prison. 

Three  months  had  now  elapsed  since  we  came  to  this 
place,  and  our  hopes  of  being  exchanged  were  less  pro- 
bable from  the  fact  that  Commodore  Rogers  had  detain- 
ed a  number  of  English  prisoners  in  close  confinement, 
as  hostages  for  as  many  American  prisoners  whom  the 
British  held  in  bondage,  declaring  that  they  were  En- 
glishmen; "uu  of  course  such,  when  found  fighting 
against  their  country,  must  suffer  the  penalty  attached 
to  the  crime,  Avhich  is  death.  This  punishment,  how- 
ever was  never  carried  into  execution,  supposing,  no 
doubt,  the  American  government  would  have  retaliated. 
From  this  time  forward,  there  was  no  more  exchange  of 
prisoners  until  peace  was  concludfcd. 

As  my  funds  were  now  getting  short,  it  became  abso- 
lutely necessary  for  me  to  turn  my  attention  to  some 
pursuit  which  would  afford  a  subsistence ;  accordingly 
I  commenced  to  manufacture  straw  plait  for  ladies'  bon- 
nets. Though  riches  could  not  flow  in  abundance 
through  this  channel — with  the  most  incessant  toil,  I 
20* 


w 


-U'liii'ritiiiialiii 


■iiii'iiVjStit-ii 


'■*"**«*"»»»*«B«i 


nmmmumm 


mifmmi 


230 


LIFE   ON  THE   OCKAN. 


/  >a 


could  ntft  earn  more  than  one  shilling  per  day— vet  it 
was  sufficient  to  keep  me  in  coffee,  brekl,  &c.  as  long 
as  I  remained  in  this  place.  >         «»  iuhs 

The  sufferings  of  the  American  prisoners,  wherever 
they  were  conhned  in  England,  -.vere  equal  if  not 
greater  than  those  at  Stapleton;  and  from  this  depot,  as 
well  as  f.om  others,  petitions  were  frequently  sent  to 
our  government,  through  the  medium  of  Mr.  Beasley, 
who  was  the  agent  for  American  prisoners  in  England. 
Ihese  petitions  were  drawn  up  in  the  most  resi^ctful 
manner,  and  set  forth  in  strong  terms  the  miserable 
and  destitute  condition  of  the  American  prisoners,  the 
small  quantity  of  daily  food  allowed  by  the  British  go- 
vernment,  (in  consequence  of  which  scanty  fare  many 
had  starved  to  death,}  and  speedy  and  immediate  relief 
was  urgently  prayed  for.  On  the  reception  of  these 
petitions,  our  government  lost  no  time  in  affording  the 
reliet  required,  by  empowering  the  agent  to  distribute  to 
each  prisoner  six  shillings  and  eight  pence,  monthly. 
Ihis  supply  was  indeed  seasonable  to  many  of  our  poor 
fellow  sufferers.  Now  the  industrious  and  econom^l 
could  subsist  tolerably  well;  but  there  were  yet  many 
among  us  who,  no  sooner  than  they  received  their 
monthly  allowance  would  resort  to  the  gambling  table 

!1  ti°'f r'-.^i'-o  ^""^  ""^"y  °^  ^^'^  description  lived  to 
see  the  United  States.  ««^«  w 

1  ^**®."  ^^^  "^^  effected  between  France  and  Euk- 
land,  tlie  French  prisoners,  of  course,  were  liberatSi 
and  sent  to  France ;  and,  as  there  we.e  but  four  hundred 
American  prisoners  at  this  place— not  being  a  sufficient 
number  to  employ  a  garrison-our  destination  was  fixed 
tor  Dartmoor.  This  was  a  matter  of  joy  to  many  of  us 
because  we  cou.emplated  th^t  an  escape  would  not  be' 
difficult;  but,  on  the  other  hand,  this  depot  was  infi- 
nitely preferable  to  Dartmoor.  The  prison  buildings 
here  were  ftj  superior  to  those  at  Dartmoor,  as  well  as 
the  country  around  them;  the  facilities  of  a  market  for 
the  purchase  of  provisions,  and  for  the  sale  of  whatever 
articles  we  could  manufacture,  were  likewise  much 
greater  here.  wuvm 


'li 


5  per  day — yet  it 
tread,  6cc.  as  long 

risoners,  wherever 
rere  equal   if  not 
rom  this  depot,  as 
frequently  sent  to 
n  of  Mr.  Beasley, 
mers  in  England, 
le  most  respectful 
ms   the  miserable 
ican  prisoners,  the 
by  the  British  go- 
scanty  fare  many 
id  immediate  relief 
reception  of  these 
tie  in  affording  the 
[eut  to  distribute  to 
It  pence,  monthly. 
0  many  of  our  poor 
us  and  economical 
re  were  yet  many 
ley  received  their 
he  gambling  table 
lescription  lived  to 

France  and  Eng- 
rse,  were  liberated 
[e  but  four  hundred 

being  a  sufficient 
Istination  was  fixed 
Ijoy  to  many  of  us, 
]ape  would  not  be 
]is  depot  was  infi- 
prison  buildings 

rtmoor,  as  well  as 

!s  of  a  market  for 
sale  of  whatever 

te  likewise  much 


CHAPTER  XXI. 

BBMOVAL   TO    DARTMOOR — DESCRIPTION  OT   IT — PLAN  TO  EmCT 

AN    ESCAPE. 

September  20, 181.3. — The  first  draft,  comprising  one 
hunored  men,  strongly  guarded,  marched  out  for  Dart- 
moor, a  distance  of  one  hundred  and  ten  miles,  and  one 
draft  weekly  thereafter  until  the  whole  number  wci« 
despatched.  It  fell  to  my  lot  to  be  in  the  last  draft,  and 
I  resolved,  if  possible,  to  profit  by  this  march  in  making 
an  escape,  at  the  first  favourable  opportunity.  Accord- 
ingly, when  we  had  reached  a  distance  of'^abou,  fif^ 
miles, conceiving  the  place  and  time  favourable, al'nough 
I  had  marched  twenty  miles  that  day,  I  determined  to 
put  my  pLiis  in  execution  that  night,  having  bribed  a 
soldier  who  would  be  on  guard  at  midnight.  The  few 
intervening  hours  were  passed  in  the  deepest  suspense. 
At  length  the  moment  arrived  when  it  was  necessary 
that  I  should  exert  all  the  courage  and  fortitude  of  which 
I  was  capable.  The  gaining  my  hberty  solely  depended 
upon  i.he  good  faith  of  this  soldier,  because  I  should 
have  to  pass  three  sentinels,  and  should  he  prove  faith- 
less, by  giving  a  false  countersign,  detection  would  be 
inevitable. 

The  village  clock  struck  the  hour  of  midnight,  and  all 
was  wrapt  in  profound  silence.  The  prisoners,  for  the 
most  part,  were  locked  in  deep  sleep,  and  nothing  was 
heard  but  the  exchange  of  "all's  well,"  by  the  sentinels, 
who  guarded  an  old  barn,  into  which  the  prisoners 
were  crammed  for  the  night's  repose.  Slowly  and  silendy 
I  passed  along  to  the  appointed  place  of  meeting ;  judge 
of^  my  surprise,  when  reaching  it,  to  find  that  double 
sentinels  had  been  stationed  at  the  place  selected  to 


.    ^V#*.■-<-„^.^  i.l*,.i«ftJ*(«SrA«i^«»^.' 


mm^mmm 


'  1 


'  pr 


LIFE   ON  THE   OOEAK. 

metet  the  soldier  before  named ;  he  was  not  there.  The 
countersign  was  given,  and  the  answer  to  it  was,  "go 
back!  or  you  are  a  dead  man."  All  hopes  of  escape 
were  now  at  an  end  ;  the  bribed  soldier,  no  doubt,  had 
treacherously  given  me  the  wrong  countersign,  and,  as 
1  supposed,  mformed  the  commanding  officer  of  my  in- 
tention. 

This  most  fatiguing  and  harrassing  march  was  con- 
tinued for  nine  days,  during  which  many  of  the  prisoners 
broke  down,  and  were  so  entirely  disabled  that  it  became 
necessary  to  transpott  them  in  wagons.   So  unremitting 
was  the  vigilance  kept  over  us  (hiring  the  remainder  of 
the  march — after  my  project  of  escape  had  failed — that 
every  effort  to  gel  away  on  tlio  part  of  the  prisoners 
proved  ineffectual.     At  length,  however,  we  arrived  at 
Dartmoor ;  and  I  think  I  shall  not  overstep  the  bounds 
of  truth,  when  I  say,  th?t  a  more  miserable  and  wretch- 
ed spot  could  not  have  been  selected  in  the  island  of 
Great  Britain,  to  erect  a  depot  for  |)risoners  of  war,  than 
this  same  barren  heath  presented.     In  vain   may  the 
eye  exert  its  powers  of  vision  to  seek  for  shnib  or 
verdure,  and  in  vain  may  the  mind  contemplate  a  scene 
more  melancholy  than  to  see  six  thousand  intelligent 
beings,  confined  in  a  circumference  of  about  one  half  of 
a  mile,  strongly  fortified,  and  encircled  by  walls,  ditches 
and  palisades,  with  cannon  so  planted  as  to  command 
every  part  of  the  enclosure.     It  was  nevertheless  a 
relief  to  enter  even  this  place,  bad  as  it  was,  where  we  , 
wight  find  rest  for  our  wearied  limbs  and  debiUtated 
bodies.     But  if  the  location  of  Dartmoor  inspires  the 
mind  with  gloom  at  first  sight,  much  more  sensibly  did 
I  feel  the   horrors  of  confinement,  when  thrust  into 
the  interior.     There  were  about  six  thousand  American 
prisoners,  who  had  been  gathered  from  all  the  prisons 
and  prison-ships  in  England,  and  with  the  exception 
of. those  Americans  which  had  given  themselves  up 
from  British  men-of-war,  and  who  at  this  time  were  in 
confinement  at  Portsmouth,  comprised  all  the  American 
prisoners  now  in  England.    These  then  for  the  most 


■  -#t' 


■»t;^-   -I--     i<ilriilliwiMifHiiii  III    1  iiiiAiiiitiWrr'ttriii  T  "'I  rii  "'i'- 


as  not  there.  The 
iwer  to  it  was,  "go 
II  hopes  of  escape 
lier,  no  doubt,  had 
Duntersiga,  and,  as 
g  olficer  of  my  in- 

g  march  wa^  con- 

my  of  the  prisoners 

bled  that  it  became 

IS.   So  unremitting 

ig  thfi  remainder  of 

le  liad  failed — that 

•t  of  the  prisoners 

jver,  we  arrived  at 

verstep  the  bounds 

erable  and  wretch - 

id  in  the  island  of 

joners  of  war,  than 

In  vain   may  the 

seek  for  shrub  or 

on  template  a  scene 

lousand  intelligent 

f  about  one  half  of 

J  by  walls,  ditches 

;d  as  to  command 

as  nevertheless  a 

it  was,  where  we 

bs  and  debilitated 

tnioor  inspires  the 

more  sensibly  did 

when  thrust  into 

lousand  American 

)m  all  the  prisons 

irith  the  exception 

en  themselves  up 

this  time  were  in 

1  all  the  American 

then  for  the  most 


>-..>■  II I  i^ttmiwHiwaiaUKHiAA' 


LIFE   ON  THE    OCEAN. 


233 


fart  were  a  perfect  set  of  outlaws  and  desperadoes, 
aving  no  doubt  been  selected  from  the  most  miserable 
haunts  of  vice  in  all  the  seaports  within  the  United 
States.  It  must  not  he  understood,  however,  that  all 
came  und.r  this  descri|  iion  of  charuoter,  for  there  were 
some  among  the  number,  an  honour  to  the  profession 
of  a  seaman ;  but  then  the  loafers  and  rough-alleys 
greatly  overbalanced  the  better  disposed,  so  that  the 
law  that  "might  gives  right,"  was  forcibly  illustrated,  and 
the  levelling  system  was  pnt  into  effectual  practice.  If 
a  man  who  had  been  an  otlicer  manifested  a  disposition 
to  keep  himself  aloof  from  these  miscrcaTTts,  he  was 
almost  sure  to  be  mobbed,  and  if  he  had  kept  a  taut 
hand  and  good  discipline  on  board  ot  his  vessel,  on  en- 
tering these  prisons  he  was  generally  tied  to  the  whip- 
ping-post and  flogged. 

This  state  of  things  became  so  intolerable,  that  fre- 
quently the  commandant  sent  in  a  file  <.f  soldiers  to 
rescue  the  officers  from  their  unmerciful  reatment. 
These  outrages  continued  until  those  men.  who  had 
given  themselves  up  from  Britisli  men-of-war,  were  sent 
on  to  this  place.  They  Avero  generally  a  noble  set  of 
fellows,  men  of  principle  and  true  Americans,  conse- 
qiiently  friends  to  law  and  order,  uniting  with  the 
minority,  eflectually  crushed  all  acts  of  injustice  and 
oppression.  Competent  men  were  now  selected  by  the 
majority  to  frame  a  constitution  and  laws  for  the  better 
regulation  of  the  whole.  Judges,  (fee.  were  appointed, 
and  allegiance  was  sworn  to  the  constitution  and  laws, 
by  a  large  majority  of  the  prisoners.  After  the  adoption 
of  tb^se  measurfis.  whenever  the  laws  were  infringed  or 
Adolated,  the  culprit  or  offender  was  punished  according 
to  the  enormity  of  the  crime  committed. 

I  was  forcibly  struck  when  first  entering  these  prisons, 
with  the  miserable,  squalid  appearance  of  the  prisoners. 
The  clothes  given  them  by  their  captors  were  mostly 
yellowj  designed  purposely  no  doubt  to  designate  them 
m  case  of  escape.  Emaciated  from  long  confinement 
and  scantiness  of  provision,  many  of  them  dirty  and  in 


,;i^.a»,^.-a.i.^.to^u^,^.;|,'i,— ;^^^^j.:^.^-^^  ^^   _    ■  ..,j^^ 


-.Ml  l,H(,|i|,!|i 


mimm 


^PPBWWili  W«  i!JWii»wu,-p 


ilHI> 


I  ill 
V  f 
ill 


i 


S84 


LIFE   ON   THE   OCEAN. 


tatters,  they  presented  to  my  mind  a  set  of  unearthly 
objects,  issumg  from  the  recesses  of  pandemonium, 
rather  than  a  living  mass  of  human  beings.  The  rron- 
duct  and  pursuits  of  these  men  were  so  strikingly 
different  from  the  French  prisoners  at  Stapleton,  that, 
my  mind  not  only  sickened,  but  I  really  felt  ashamed 
of  ray  own  countrymen.  It  must  bo  conce'  '',  how- 
ever, that  they  were  continually  planning  scaemes  of 
escape ;  consequently  they  were  restless  and  uneasy, 
and  instead  of  settling  themselves  down  to  any  system 
of  government,  or  adopting  any  plan  or  occupation, 
such  as  carrying  on  the  various  branches  of  mechanif  m, 
for  instance ;  they  idled  their  time  away  with  cards, 
dice,  roulette  tables,  «fcc.  &c.  Here  and  there,  however, 
throughout  the  prisons,  might  be  seen  stands  or  shops, 
for  the  jmrpose  of  selling  colfee  and  various  kinds  of 
eatables,  and  there  were  no  small  number  of  these 
stands  for  the  sale  of  ardent  spirits,  &c.  There  were 
also  a  number  of  schools,  and  it  might  be  said  that  this 
was  almost  the  only  reputable  employment  carried  on 
among  the  prisoners.  The  monthly  allowance,  which 
had  it  been  distributed  with  proper  care  and  manage- 
ment, would  have  been  highly  beneficial ;  but,  as  it  was, 
to  many  it  proved  a  curse  instead  of  a  blessing ;  for  im- 
mediately on  receiving  it,  hundreds  would  resort  to  the 
gambling  table,  and  in  a  few  minutes  would  come  off 
minus ;  hundreds  more  would  go  to  the  rum  shop,  and 
their  allowance  would  be  quickly  swept  away.  To  me, 
the  day  of  distribution  was  a  day  of  terror,  for  the 

fvisoners  actually  appeared  more  like  a  set  of  demons, 
et  loose  from  tlie  regions  of  darkness  than  reasonable 
men.  Every  where  drunkenness,  fighting  and  brawl- 
ings,  might  be  seen  throughout  the  prisons  and  prison 
yards,  and  I  really  dreaded  when  the  period  arrived  for 
distribution,  although  I  was  at  all  times  much  in  Wunt 
of  this  small  pittance  ;  indeed  it  becarcd  more  necessary 
because  no  market  privileges  were  allowed  here  as  in 
Stapleton,  and  consequently  little  could  be  sold  even  if 
it  were  manufactured.    This  deprivation  was  a  serious 


Kv 


"»•»- 


«•-'- 


a  set  of  unearthly 
of  pandemonium, 
beings.    The  fon- 
vere  so  strikingly 
at  Stapleton,  that 
sally  felt  ashamed 
10  conce'  '',  how- 
aiming  scuemes  of 
itless  and  uneasy, 
)wn  to  any  system 
an  or  occupation, 
!'es  of  mechanism, 
away  with   cards, 
nd  there,  however, 
m  stands  or  shops, 
1  various  kinds  of 
number  of  these 
(fee.    There  were 
ht  be  said  that  this 
iloyment  carried  on 
■  allowance,  which 
care  and  manage- 
;ial ;  but,  as  it  was, 
blessing ;  for  im- 
Iwould  resort  to  the 
s  would  come  oflf 
the  mm  shop,  and 
ipt  away.    To  me, 
of  terror,  for  the 
a  set  of  demons, 
s  than  reasonable 
Ighting  and  brawl- 
prisons  and  prison 
period  arrived  for 
les  much  in  Wunt 
ne  more  necessary 
llowed  here  as  in 
lid  be  sold  even  if 
ion  was  a  serious 


..  ..,^K^.'»|  ■«,  ■■j.-i*  T-.f.  ...■ 


LIFE   ON  THE   OCEAN. 


23S 


matter  to  many  of  the  prisoners  besides  myseif,  as  1 
found  tliat  the  "six  and  eight  pence,"  with  the  British 
a'lowanco  was  by  no  means  su/Iicieiit  to  procure  a  mode- 
rate subsistence.  It  became  necessary,  therefore,  to  have 
recourse  to  some  means  to  make  up  the  deficiency. 
The  occupation  on  wiiich  I  fixed  my  mind  to  pursue, 
was  that  of  washing  the  prisoners'  clothes  at  sixpence 
\iGT  dozen.  Although  tliis  was  not  the  most  exalted 
profession  in  the  world,  yet  it  was  an  honest  calling, 
and  as  I  was  enabled  to  earn  one  shilling  per  day,  it 
was  amply  su/licicnt  witli  the  other  means,  to  live  as 
well  as  the  prison  could  aflbrd. 

I  had  not  been  long  at  this  employment  when  I 
received  a  letter  from  an  intimate  friend,  Avho  had  been 
in  the  counting-house  with  me  before  I  embraced  a  sea 
life.  He  had  heard  of  my  unfortunate  capture  and 
subsequent  confinement,  and  as  he  was  connected  with 
a  mercantile  house  in  London,  he  not  only  had  the 
power,  but  exercised  the  willingness,  to  supply  me  with 
what  little  means  I  might  stund  in  need  of  to  render 
my  situation  comfortable ;  and  this  was  the  purport  of 
the  letter  received.  It  may  be  supposed  that  I  lost  no 
time  in  embracing  this  offer  ■,  for  although  I  had  a  suf- 
ficiency to  eat  and  drink,  yet  I  was  nearly  destitute  of 
clothing,  having  either  lost  them,  or  had  them  stolen 
from  me.  Prom  this  friend  I  received  a  stated  sum 
monthly,  and  was  enabled  thereby  to  procure  some  good 
clothing,  besides  a  competency  for  subsistence  with- 
out being  compelled  **>  labour.  It  may  be  necessary  to 
give  the  reader  some  proof  of  the  restless  character  so 
peculiar  to  the  American  prisoners,  and  in  order  to  do 
this,  I  shall  here  give  a  mmute  description  of  the  situa- 
tion of  the  prisons. 

They  were  seven  in  number,  built  on  the  slope  or 
rather  at  the  foot  of  a  hili.  They  were  surrounded  by 
two  strong  walls,  twelve  feet  high,  and  about  thirty  feet 
a(>art;  between  these  walls  was  a  ditch,  twenty  feet 
wide.  The  walls  as  well  as  the  prison  yard  were 
strongly  guarded.    Under  each  of  the  prisons  was  a 


r 


LIFE   ON   THE    OCEAN. 

drain,  cut  about  three  feet  in  width,  nnd  about  the  same 
in  depth.  Water  from  the  adjacent  hills  constantly  ran 
through  these  drains,  and  served  the  various  purposes 
of  carrying  off  the  fdth  and  otFul,  cleansing  the  prisons, 
washing  clotlies,  cooking,  &,c.  When  it  rained,  which 
was  not  luifreqncnt,  the  water  ran  through  these  drains 
with  great  rapidity.  I  mention  this  trifling  circum- 
'.  ance,  to  show  that  in  the  following  account,  this 
uinall  affair  was  of  material  advantage  to  the  prisoners. 
And  now  for  the  proof  of  the  restlessness  of  their 
character 

As  all  hopes  of  oxcliange  had  long  since  been  given 
up,   the  prisoners   unanimously   agreed    to  form  some 
plan,  for  the  purjwsc  of  cireciing  a  general  escape;  it 
was    theretfirc  decrided  to  dig  a  subterranean   passage, 
with  a  perpendicular  hole  inside  of  one  of  the  buildings. 
The  distance  from  the  ])rison,  in  which  the  hole  was  to 
be  dug  to  the  outside  wall,  was  one  hundred  and  ten 
feet.     The  plan  was  to  dig  twenty  feet  perpendicularly, 
and  then  run  the  parallel  passage  sufliciently  wide  to  let 
two  men  pass  abreast.   'I'his  plan  being  matured,  the  pri- 
soners bound  themselves  under  a  most  solem  oath  not  to 
reveal  the  scheme,  the  forfeiture  of  whicli  was  death. 
The  work  was  to  be  done  in  the  night  time,  as  there  was 
less  danger  of  detection,  the  "turnkeys",  «fcc.  being  then 
asleep,  no  other  watch  was  kept  but  by  the  sentries 
oil  guard,  as  the  prisoners  were  all  locked  up  in  the 
prisons.     One  or  two  almost  insurmountable  difficulties, 
now  presented   themselves,  viz.  what  could  be  done 
with  the  vast  amount  of  rubbish  which  must  necessari- 
ly be  dug  from  this  cavern,  so  as  to  elude  the  vigilance 
of  the  guards  and  turnkeys  who  inspected  the  prisons 
every  morning.  To  put  it  into  our  chests  and  bags  would 
not  do,  neither  would  it  be  practicable  to  throw  it  down 
the  common  sewers,  on  account  of  the  large  quantity. 
The  only  safe  plan,  therefore,  was  to  take  advantage  of 
the  heavy  rains,  and  to  throw  it  into  'the  drains  before 
mentioned.    The  water  flowed  at  these  periods  with 
such  velocity,  that  it  would  force  it  all  off  into  the  outer 


■iWiimiliiilliniWrllHii  «r».AM^»-  ■^^t^.-ftUA.^^-  * 


JL 


^4»- 


id  about  the  same 
ills  constantly  ran 
various  purposes 
using  the  prisons, 
II  it  rained,  which 
ough  these  drains 
i  trifling  circum- 
ing  account,  this 
B  to  the  prisoners, 
tlessjiess  of  their 

;  since  been  given 
;od   to  form  some 
general  escape;  it 
erranean  passage, 
c  of  the  buildings. 
t?li  the  hole  was  to 
hundred  and  ten 
ct  perpendicularly, 
iciently  wide  to  let 
ig  matured,  the  pri- 
Ist  solem  oath  not  to 
which  was  death, 
time,  as  there  was 
",  «fcc.  being  then 
by  the  sentries 
ocked  up  in  the 
ntable  dilRculties, 
could  be  done 
1  must  necessari- 
ude  the  vigilance 
pected  the  prisons 
is  and  bags  would 
to  throw  it  down 
le  large  quantity, 
take  advantage  of 
the  drains  before 
lese  periods  with 
off  into  the  outer 


LIFE   ON   THE   OCEAN. 


237 


ditch.  The  worl  was  now  commenced  and  soon  the 
perpendicular  holo  was  finished.  The  parallel  passage 
was  begun,  when  another  very  serious  and  unforeseen 
difficulty  presented  itself;  the  immense  pressure  of  con- 
fined air  within  the  subterranean  v  ult,  was  so  great, 
that  with  all  our  efforts  to  restore  a  natural  circula- 
tion, wo  were  unable  to  work  more  than  thirty  minutes 
at  a  time  ;  and  as  we  advanced  in  distance,  the  pressure 
became  groatir,  luitil  it  was  absolutely  necessary  for  our 
safety,  that  air  holes  should  bo  opened  to  the  surface. 
This  was  a  Avork  of  extreme  hazard,  because  sentinels 
were  posted,  about  thirty  feet  from  each  other,  all  around 
the  prison  yard.  Detection,  therefore,  would  seem  to  be 
inevitable ;  the  risk,  however,  nuist  be  attempted  or  the 
project  abandoned.  The  first  air  holo  was  commenced 
about  twelve  feet  from  the  commencement  of  the  pas- 
sage, and  extended  to  the  surflico  without  discovery. 
This  mine  was  an  immense  undertaking,  in  view  of 
all  the  difHculties  which  surrounded  it,  viz.  the  vigilance 
of  the  guards,  turnkeys,  «fcc,  the  apprehended  treachery 
of  the  prisoners,  (for  it  could  not  be  supposed  that,  out 
of  so  many,  all  would  prove  true,)  the  great  difficulty  of 
concealing  the  dirt,  and  another  of  no  less  magnitude, 
which  was  the  frequency  of  encountering  huge  rocks 
that  obliged  us  to  diverge  from  the  straight  line,  thus 
increasing  the  work  and  lengthening  the  time  of  our 
escape.  Forty  nights,  two  hours  in  each,  I  recollect  to 
have  exerted  all  my  physical  powers  at  this  work,  elated 
almost  beyond  measure  with  the  prospect  of  success, 
(for,  as  yet,  all  had  been  kept  a  profound  secret  from  the 
enemy,)  and  as  .we  had  penetrated  in  our  passage  as 
far  as  the  'inner  wall,  and  reasonably  calculated  that, 
unless  we  were  detected,  or  that  some  of  our  own  men 
should  prove  faithless,  we  should  effect  our  object. 
Alas !  how  little  then  did  we  expect  that  these  buoyant 
hopes  were  so  soon  to  be  frustrated,  and  that,  too,  by 
one  who  was  among  the  most  persevering  in  the  labour, 
and  perhaps  the  most  ardent  in  his  feelings  when  this 
plan  was  first  projected.  Often  did  I  work  by  his  side, 
21 


..'Wt'^.rfWKI. 


mmmmm 


i 


a38 


UFB    ON   THE   OCBAK. 


r' 


and  often  did  wq  converse  us  to  tho  mode  of  operation 
after  we  should  have  gotten  clear  Aom  the  prison.  This 
man  was  a  native  American,  of  rfspectablo  connections, 
who,  after  he  had  sworn  the  most  solunm  oath  not  to 
divulge  our  plans,  basely  betrayed  us  by  informing  the 
captain  of  the  prisons  of  all  our  operations,  the  distance 
we  had  penetrated,  and,  in  a  word,  given  the  particulars 
of  every  thing  in  reference  to  the  mine  unci  the  con- 
templated manner  of  our  escape.  For  this  most  base 
and  treacherous  act,  he  obtained  his  release  and  a  pass- 
port to  proceed  to  the  United  States. 

The  first  intimation  we  received  of  detection,  was 
being  driven  into  the  prison  early  in  the  Jbreiioon, 
and  locked  up;  then  a  regiment  of  a  thousand  men 
were  marched  into  the  yard,  and  Ibrmed  a  hollow  square 
fronting  on  the  lino  of  excavation.  The  colonel  of  the 
regiment,  with  a  small  guard,  entered  the  prison  and 
descended  the  perpendicular  hole,  passed  into  the  pas- 
sage and,  after  examining  with  great  care  and  minute- 
ness the  entire  work,  he  ascended,  and  publicly  conferred 
a  tribute  of  praise  to  men,  "who,  under  so  many  dis- 
couraging circumstances,  not  only  managed  to  keep  this 
gigantic  work  a  profound  secret,  but  who,  by  their 
unremitting  perseverance,  had  carried  on  the  work 
nearly  to  Us  completion."  Ho  declared,  at  the  same 
time,  that  such  men  were  worthy  of  their  liberty.  The 
work  of  destruction  was  commenced  by  the  miners  con- 
nected with  the  regiment.  And  after  labouring  two 
hours  they  came  to  the  parallel  passage ;  after  which 
fining  up  the  remaining  port  was  an  easy  matter,  for 
the  ground  fell  in  without  any  difficulty.  At  four 
o'clock  the  whole  passage  was  filled  up,  and  our  long 
cherished  hopes  of  escape,  were  entirely  frustrated.  A 
solemn  compact  was  entered  into,  by  many  of  the 
prisoners,  that,  in  the  event  of  falling  in  with  the  base 
uiformer  in  after  life,  they  would  take  his  life. 

Shortland,  the  commandant  of  the  prison,  and  who, 
it  was  said,  was  a  broken  down  post  captain,  stood 


innoiiiii  ri<i«-i  ■»»tiiiiiiii»iniii, 


^■rtHBiJlif'  ■ ..II 


f.. 

mode  of  operation 
n  the  prison.  This 
ctablo  connectioDi, 
oluntn  oath  not  to 
by  informing  the 
itiuns,  the  distance 
[veil  tlie  particulars 
niino  and  the  con- 
f'or  this  most  base 
release  and  a  pass- 

I  of  detection,  was 
f  in   tlio  Ibrenoon, 
f  a  thousand  men 
tied  a  holUiw  square 
The  colon«l  of  the 
red  the  prison  and 
wssed  into  tlie  pas- 
it  care  and  minute- 
d  publicly  conferred 
imder  so  many  dis- 
lannged  to  keep  this 
but  who,  by  their 
ried    on    the    work 
'lared,  at  the  same 
their  liberty.    The 
by  the  miners  con- 
fter  labouring  two 
ssage ;  after  which 
an  easy  matter,  for 
iiificulty.     At  four 
id  up,  and  our  long 
irely  frustrated.    A 
,  by  many  of  the 
(ig  in  with  the  base 
:e  his  life. 

le  prison,  and  who, 
)ost  captain,  stood 


LIFE   ON  THE   OCEAN. 


239 


nntoriouii  for  his  many  acts  of  tyranny;  and,  it  was 
also  currcndy  reported  that  the  Adnunuty  had,  by  way 
of  ridding  the  service  of  so  much  inhuman  barbarity, 
placed  him  liere  as  jailor  to  those  confined  within  the 
enclosures  of  this  celebrntfld  depot. 

After  the  discovery  of  this  aftair,  this  humane  gentle- 
man restricted  every  privilege  that  we  had  previously  en- 
joyed, such  as  forbidding  the  entrance  and  sale  of  fresh 
provisions,  vegetables,  «9cc.  as  also  by  closely  confining 
the  prisoners,  and  sometimes  by  stopjijng  their  customary 
allowance.  This  treatment  was  contiiuiod  at  intervals, 
as  spleen  suggested  to  his  choleric  dispsition,  during 
the  whole  ixjriod  of  our  confinement ;  notwithstanding 
repeated  remonstmnces  were  made  to  "the  American 
agent,  in  reference  to  the  conduct  of  Shortland,  no  re- 
dress could  be  obtained. 

At  length  the  long  looked  l()r  news  of  the  probability 
of  peace  reached  our  dosixinding  hearts ;  but  when 
information  was  received  that  conmiissioners  'vere  ap- 
pointed by  the  contending  parties  to  negociate  a  treaty 
of  peace  at  (Jhent,  and  that  the  conmiissioners  were  ac- 
tually on  the  spot,  the  loudest  and  most  extravagant 
demonstrations  of  joy  were  exhibited  throughout  the 
prisons.  Hut  on  the  reception  of  the  news,  that  the 
treaty  of  peace  had  actually  been  signed  by  both  parties, 
the  effect  upon  the  prisoners  was  beyond  all  description. 
The  truth  of  it  could  hardly  bo  reulized.  Some  danced 
while  others  sung,  some  laughed  and  others  wept  for 
joy ;  many  resorted  to  the  intoxicating  bowl  and  affirm- 
6(1  that  they  would  get  royally  drunk  ;  this  pledge  was 
kept  to  the  very  letter;  the  shops  or  places  where  liquor, 
coffee,  dDc.  had  been  sold,  were  broken  down,  and,  jfor  a 
short  time,  like  as  in  the  days  of  old,  all  things  were 
partaken  of  in  common,  as  they  expected  an  immediate 
release.  But  they  were  disappointed  in  this,  for  the 
confinement  was  as  close,  and  the  treatment  equally  as 
bad,  as  it  had  been  before  the  news  of  rtoace  arrived ; 
and  in  consequence  of  the  delay  of  proviuing  cartels  by 
our  agent,  the  confinement  of  the  prisoners  was  prolong- 


J 


.ii»t^.»iMw>n 


.JtfL 


^mmmm^ 


240 


UF£  ON  THE   OCEAN. 


ed  months.  This  was  mainly  the  cause  of  the  nnfortU' 
nate  riot  and  the  subsequent  massacre  of  the  prisoners, 
by  the  command  of  the  commandant  Shortland.  For  my 
own  part,  I  was  in  some  degree  prepared  for  the  news 
of  peace,  by  the  correspondence  held  with  my  friend  in 
London ;  and  yet,  when  it  actually  did  come,  such  were 
my  feelings,  vacillating  between  hope  and  fear,  truth 
-f^ud  fiction,  that  it  was  some  time  before  I  brought  my- 
self to  ihe  positive  conclusion  that  it  was  really  true. 
.  In  a  few  days,  however,  all  doubts  on  this  subject  were 
entirely  dissipated,  as  I  received  a  letter  from  my  friend, 
which  infonned  me  that  he  had  obtained  my  release 
from  the  Transport  Board,  and  that  an  order  had  been 
sent  from  that  Board  to  release  two  of  us  immediately. 
In  this  letter  was  enclosed  a  five  pound  bank  note,  to 
defray  our  expenses  to  London,  also  giving  his  address. 
I  lost  no  time  in  geyi<ig  all  my  traps  in  readines?  for 
departure 

The  next  morning  M.  and  myself  were  called  out, 
and  pt^sports  were  given  to  each  of  us  by  Shortland, 
and  a  couple  of  soldiers  taking  up- our  trunks,  the  turn- 
key conducted  us  outside  of  the  prison  walls.     We  had 
previously  ordered  a  post  chaise,  into  which  we  both 
jumped,  and  drove  off  at  a  rapid  rate  for  Ashburton,  and 
I  believe  neither  of  us  gave  one  long,  lingering  look 
behind,  at  Dartmoor  prison.    Asliburton  is  about  ..welve 
miles  east  of  Dartmoor,  a  small  villaee,  the  allotted 
location  of  prisoners  on  parole.    Through  this  town  lies 
the  direct  route  to  London.    Here  then  we  arrived  in 
about  an  hour  and  a  half,  paid  off  our  postillion  with 
half  a  guinea,  and  remained  during  the  night,  and  the 
next  mornuig  took  seats  on  the  top  of  the  mail-coach 
for  London. 

The  mail-coach  driving  at  a  rapid  rate,  we  were  of 
course,  very  soon  at  our  journey's  end,  and  had  but 
little  opportunity  to  make  observations  on  the  highly 
cuhivated  grounds  and  beautiful  scenery  through  which 
we  passed.  We  were  now  in  the  midst  of  the  largest 
metropolis  in  the  world;  two  strangers,  just  emerged 


X 


^fc.ll-illlllll 


I  iiHiil  rinw'ftl-  II  itlW'V^ 


rWiiiMWiiti  miiiitfirftaM  •t^t-'tuiuvii^a^ 


IN. 

ause  of  the  nnfi>r(n* 
re  of  the  prisoners, 
Shortland.  For  my 
pared  for  the  news 
1  with  my  friend  in 
lid  come,  such  were 
)pe  and  fear,  truth 
tore  I  brought  my- 
t  it  was  really  true, 
n  this  subject  were 
tter  from  my  friend, 
btained  my  release 
an  order  had  been 
of  us  immediately, 
ound  bank  note,  to 
giving  his  address, 
ps  in  readiness  for 

If  were  called  cut, 
■  us  by  Shortland, 
r  trunks,  the  turn- 
)n  walls.  We  had 
to  which  we  both 
for  Ashburton,  and 
)ng,  lingering  look 
ton  is  about  ^welve 
illasfe,  the  allotted 
>ugh  this  town  lies 
hen  we  arrived  in 
3ur  postillion  with 
the  night,  and  the 
of  the  mail-coach 

rate,  we  were  of 
and,  and  had  but 
as  on  the  highly 
3ry  through  which 
dst  of  the  largest 
ers,  just  emerged 


LIFE    ON  THE   OCKAN. 


241 


from  a  prison-house,  and  although  I  had  frequently  been 
m  large  cities,  yet  every  thing  appeared  to  be  perfectly 

«»''T?'}r^  ^  '^'"^''^  "^y^"'^  »°  bfas  absolutely  «een 
as  if  I  had  never  seen  anything  in  my  life.  This  was 
also  noticed  by  more  than  myself;  one  chap,  dm^^^^ 
up  alongside,  and  patung  my  cheeks,  very  significantlf 

Ti  Wh^oh^^P'  ^^^Ty  "r'  ^"''"  «>ade7ourcoachee^ 
To  which  I  replied  in  the  most  polite  and  agreeable 
manner  possible  to  my  then  state  offeelings,  by  letting 
him  have  a  rejoinder  under  the  left  ear.  Th  s  off  hanf 
replytook  with  the  bystonders,  for  I  heard  sle  of  thTm 

rtl'X'^Z^'^^^V'^'  anyhow."  But  we  were  no"yet 
nd  of  their  tricks,  for  on  calling  a  hack,  and  giving  the 
dnver  the  address  of  our  frienS,  we  both  juS^d^mo 
the  coach,  and  I  suppose  he  must  have  driven  us  « 
east  SIX  or  seven  miles  round  and  about  the  city ;  at 
length  he  stopped  at  the  residence  of  our  friend,  at  which 
place  there  was  a  lady  waiUng  to  receive  us,  m  BIr  B 
had  gone  out.  The  coachman  demanded,  for  his 'fee" 
ha^fagumea;  the  ladv  inquired  at  what  place  he  hS 
teken  us  up;  after  I  had  informed  her,  s^e  presented 

a;;Sd^;;;*oV''"'"^'"*^^^^  '^  ^^^  mUiySS! 

From  this  lady  we  received  the  kindest  treatment; 
she  expressed  great  sympathy  when  the  relation  of  our 
confinement  was  made  to  her,  and  during  our  stay  at 
her  house  she  endeavoured,  by  every  act  of  kindnew 
and  attention,  to  atone,  as  she  said,  for  the  injusticeTf 
ner  countrymen,  in  unprisoning  men,  who,  in  all  re- 
spects, she  affirmed,  were  equal  to  Englishmen.    This 
was  a  great  complimen-  but  when  I  learned  that  she 
was  bom  and  educated    .  the  west  end  of  London,  and 
5S!S  f  *^  sufficient  curiosity,  (although  she  was  then 
thmy-four  years  of  age,)  to  visit  the  eastern  part  of  the 
city— I  say,  when  I  heard  this  from  her  own  lips,  I  was 
not  at  all  astomshed  at  the  complimont  she  bestowed 
upon.  us. 

My  friend  soon  arrived,  by  whom  we  were  most 
cordially  received ;  we  ate  and  drank  at  his  table,  and 
21* 


j^fH^Wft^, 


'<«-«»■.«  iiimiiittitMiiii,  niiii'.i 


FV' 


242    ^^ 


LIFE   ON  THE   OCEAIf. 


r 


slept  soundly  in  his  well  furnished  rooms.  After  I  had 
given  him  a  distinct  narration  of  nearly  ail  the  scenes 
and  circumstances  whicl.  had  beMlen  me  since  our 
separation,  we  repaired  to  a  "ready  made  clothing 
store,"  where  in  a  few  mintites  I  was  cfimpletely  meta- 
morphosed— my  prison  garb  giving  place  to  the  cos- 
tume of  a  London  cockney.  My  friend  informed  us 
that  he  had  procured  situations  on  board  of  an  American 
ship,  which  had  been  laying  up  in  Russia  during  the 
whole  of  the  war,  but  had  come  to  London  immediately 
on  the  news  of  peace;  and  that  she  was  now  actively 
loading  in  dock  for  the  United  States,  and  expected  to 
sail  in  ten  days.  In  a  week,  therefore,  said  he,  it  is 
ii«3cessary  you  should  repair  on  board;  during  which 
time  he  Qontinued,  I  will  endeavour  to  show  you  all 
that  is  worth  seeing  in  London.  He  was  as  good  as  his 
word,  for  every  hour  was  employed  apart  from  our 
meals,  in  visiting  the  almost  numberless  places  n>id 
scenes  which  are  calculated  to  astonish  and  delignt  „ 
stranger  and  traveller. 

Our  week  expiring  we  bade  adieu  to  our  kind  hor 
and  tamily,  and  having  exchanged  our  long  clothes  for 
a  complete  sailor's  rig,  we  jumped  iato  a  hackney  with 
Mr.  B.  drove  to  the  London  docks,  went  immediately 
on  board  of  the  American  ship  Boston,  and  were  intro- 
duced by  Mr.  B.  to  Captain  Finley,  as  the  two  young 
men  whom  he  had  engaged  to  work  their  passage  to  the 
United  States  in  his  ship.  The  raptain  received  us 
rather  cavalierly,  said  he  was  glad  that  we  had  come 
on  board,  foi:  he  was  short  of  hand'i  to  get  in  the  cargo. 
He  was  a  very  queer  looking  chap,  and  although 
dressed  at  the  tip-top  of  the  London  fashion,  yet  his 
clothes  did  not  set  on  him  with  a  good  grace,  having 
so  much  of  the  sailor  about  him.  After  hearing  a  few 
very  ungeuteel  epithets  bestowed  upon  the  mate,  I  was 
inclinod  to  believe  that  our  situation  on  board  would 
not  be  the  most  agreeable.  In  the  end,  however,  I  was 
deceived,  for  he  was  a  good  sailor,  and  though  rough  in 


.Miifa, 


»l||Hlit>«l  «'*-'»»'■ 


Jtli> 


^<iWiiWfcwt>>U<. 


'■  ^yft!fV0^i|0f1nf^''^tl^|^^f9f^^ 


LIFE   ON  THE   OCSAN. 


843 


ins.    After  1  had 
>y  all  the  scenes 
sn  me  since  our 
r  made  clothing 
completely  meta- 
place  to  the  cos- 
end  informed  us 
d  of  an  American 
lussia  during  the 
idon  immediately 
was  now  actively 
I,  and  expected  to 
ire,  said  he,  it  is 
1 ;  during  which 
to  show  you  all 
/as  as  good  as  his 
I  apart  from  our 
erless  places  nnd 
}h  and  delight  '   - 

0  our  kind  hoi 
ir  long  clothes  for 
o  a  hackney  with 
went  immediately 
J,  and  were  intro- 
s  the  two  young 
leir  pp^sage  to  the 
ptain  received  us 
liai  we  had  come 
»  get  in  the  cargo, 
ip,  and   although 
n  fashion,  yet  his 
ood  grace,  having 
ter  hearing  a  few 
n  the  mate,  I  was 
on  board  would 
d,  however,  I  was 
i  though  rough  in 


the  exterior,  yet  he  used  every  man  well  that  performed 
his  duty  according  to  contract.  In  a  few  days  the  mate 
was  discharged,  not  being  competent  to  fulfil  the  duties 
of  his  ofRc'i,  thb  berth  was  given  to  me,  and  I  never 
had  any  reason  to  repent  of  having  accepted  it.  In  a 
few  days  the  ship  was  loacied,  and  ready  for  sea. 

We  hauled  out  of  dock,  and  I  exchanged  the  parting 
adieu  with  my  worthy  friend  Mr.  B.  The  wind  being 
fair  we  soon  got  out  of  the  river  and  down  to  the  north 
foreland,  where  we  discharged  the  pilot,  made  all  sail 
with  a  fine  wind  from  the  eastward,  and  stood  down 
the  EngUsh  channel.  Thus  after  suffering  two  years 
in  an  English  prison,  besides  the  consequent  perils  and 
dangers  incident  to  a  state  of  warfare,  I  was  once  more 
on  my  favourite  element,  in  a  merchant  ship,  homeward 
bound,  after  an  absence  of  nearly  two  years  and  a  hal£ 
It  was  a  matter  of  some  consolation,  that  amid  the  varied 
scenes  and  circumstances  through  which  I  had  passed ; 
my  lite  and  health  had  been  preserved,  and  I  tnist  that 
my  moral  character  had  not  deteriorated,  and  that  the 
experience  which  I  had  gained  from  the  vicissitudes 
of  fortune  would  have  a  salutary  effect  on  my  future 
course  of  life.  Soon  after  discharging  the  pilot,  I  was 
informed  by  Captain  F.  that  it  was  positively  certain 
that  we  should  be  the  second  ship,  if  not  the  first,  to 
arrive  in  the  United  States  after  peace;  he  having 
learned  that  it  would  be  ten  days  before  any  othet 
vessel  would  sail  from  England.  Consequently  it  was 
necessary  to  improve  every  opportunity  and  carry  hard 
sail,  to  use  his  own  expression,  and  this  was  done  to 
perfection,  for  although  we  had  an  exceedingly  boister- 
ous passage,  with  many  heavy  and  severe  gales,  y>^t 
the  ship  was  never  hove  to ;  and  on  the  SS'th  day  anei' 
discharging  the  English  pilot,  we  had  a  Chesapeake 
pilot  on  board,  Cape  Henry  bearing  west- nortit- west, 
twenty  miles  distant  From  the  pilot  wa  learned  that 
our  ship  was  the  second  arrival  ircni  England  sines 
peace  ;  and  that  we  were  anxiously  looked  for  by  iitB 
werchants  in  Baltimore.    Passing  Cape  Henry  light, 


..is... 


■-■--  ii»lini-«i 


i 


and  enterini;  the  Chesapeake  Bay  with  a  fine  leading 
breeze,  and  every  sail  spread,  we  stood,  up  the  bay  and 
arrived  at  the  port  of  Baltimore,  after  a  passage  of  forty 


>    Virtiijjiiitit'^-. 


N. 


irith  a  fine  leading 

od^  up  the  bay  and 

a  passage  of  forty 


^mmtmm 


•^i^mmrnarnv!^ 


''% 


CHAPTER   XXII. 

tO»)   OF   PRIZE   MONEV— VOVAOB    TO    LONDON— NARROW   ESCAP* 
FROM    SHIPWRECK,  kC.  &C, 

I  remained  in  the  ship  Boston  rntil  her  cargo  was 
discharged,  and  then  proceeded  in  her  to  Alexandria, 
the  port  from    -yhich  she   hailed  and   to    whicii   she 
belonged,  Captain  Fiiiley  being  the  owner.     Although 
pressed  by  Captain  F.  to  remain  in  the  ship,  yet  there 
were  two  prominent  reasons  which  made  it  absolutely 
necessary  that  I  should  decline  his  offer.     The  first 
was  to  look  after  my  prize  money  and  property,  and 
the  second  was,  1  did  not  like  the  employment.     We 
separated  good  friends,  and  I  proceeded  immediately  to 
Baltimore,  and  from  thence  to  New  York,  the  port  to 
which  the  Paul  Jones  privateer  belonged,  and  where  of 
course  the  agent  fof  the  crew  resided.     Previously  to 
my  arriving  at  this  place,  I  had  ascertained  that  three 
of  the  most  valuable  prizes  captured  by  the  Paul  Jones 
had  arrived  in  safety  in  the  United  States,  and  that  the 
vessels  and  cargoes  had  been  sold  by  the  agent  to  great 
advantage.     This  was  cheering  news,  because  I  was  at 
this  time  nearly  penniless,  and^I  knew  that  my  share  of 
the  prize  money  would  amount  to  between  nine  and 
ten  thousand  dollars.    Judge  of  my  feelings,  when, 
after  the  strictest  inquiry,  I  learned  that  the  agent  had 
managed  to  get  hold  of  all  of  this  vast  amount  of  pro- 
perty, and  then  by  fraudulently  conveying  it  over  to 
other  hands,  had  foiled  and  taken  the  benefit  of  the 
insolvent  law.    Thus  by  this  most  dishonest  act,  he 
cheated  one  hundred  or  more  poor  fellows  out  of  their 
hard  ewnings— men  too,  who  had  risked  their  lives, 
and  suffered  for  two  years,  all  the  hardships  of  confine- 


iiMliri<imW»ii;ii  II 


pp^'wuijupi 


246 


LIFE   ON   THE   OCEAN. 


ment  in  an  English  prison.  Having  ascertained  that  it 
would  be  useless  to  institute  a  suit  against  this  agent, 
I  gave  up  all  hopes  of  recovering  any  portion  of  my 
dues.  As  there  was  another  source  from  which  I 
fully  expected  torfeceive  funds,  viz.  the  schooner  which 
was  left  at  New  Orleans  at  the  commencement  of  the 
war,  I  immediately  wrote  on  to  those  gentlemen  whom 
I  had  empowered  to  act  in  my  absence.  The  answer 
to  this  letter  imparted  to  me  the  unpleasant  intel- 
li^nce,  that  I  was  again  doomed  to  be  the  victim  of 
disappointment  and  the  dupe  of  knaves.  They  had 
employed  the  vessel  to  considerable  advantage,  after 
which  she  was  sold,  and  the  proceeds  received  by  them 
for  my  account,  so  that  they  had  actually  made  money 
upon  my  capital,  and  defrauded  me  out  of  the  whole. 
There  was  yet  remaining  one  more  resource,  viz.  that 
which  was  placed  in  the  hands  of  Mr.  G.  of  Norfolk. 
This  sum,  say  three  hundred  dollars,  on  my  making 
application  for,  was  remitted  forthwith,  principal  and 
interest,  together  with  a  trunk  of  wearing  apparel.  By 
the  foregoing  it  will  be  seen,  that  without  these  funds, 
(and  they  were  earned  prior  to  the  commencement  of 
the  war,)  I  should  have  been  penniless,  notwithstand- 
ing two  and  a  half  years  had  passed  away,  sometimes 
with  hard  fighting  and  many  hair-breadth  escapes,  with 
untold  hardships,  besides  a  long  and  most  painful  con- 
finement in  an  English  prison. 

My  intentions  now  were  first  to  visit  my  friends  at 
the  north,  but  as  I  had  heard  of  the  death  of  my  father 
and  of  the  marriage  of  my  sister,  I  concluded  to  return 
to  Baltimore,  having  settled  in  my  mind  to  make  this 
city  a  location  for  futur^  operations.  From  this  place 
then,  I  entered  on  my  first  voyage  after  peace.  My 
determination  in  this  respect  was  the  more  settled,  after  I 
had  become  acquainted  with  the  peculiar  constitutional 
make  of  the  southern  people.  I  found  them  in  all 
respects,  to  be  of  a  different  temperament  firom  those  of 
the  north  ;  th^y  were  evidently  more  social,  and  their 
hospitality  abounded  almost  to  excess,  especially  towards 


N. 

ascertained  that  it 
against  this  agent, 
any  portion  of  my 
rce  from  which  I 
he  schooner  which 
imencement  of  the 
3  gentlemen  whom 
nee.  The  answer 
unpleasant  intel- 
0  be  the  victim  of 
naves.  They  had 
B  advantage,  after 
s  received  by  them 
ually  made  money 
out  of  the  whole, 
resource,  viz.  that 
Mr.  G.  of  Norfolk. 
rs,  on  mjr  making 
ith,  principal  and 
aring  apparel.  By 
thout  these  funds, 
commencement  of 
ess,  notwithstand- 
'.  away,  sometimes 
sadth  escapes,  with 
most  painful  con- 

nsit  my  friends  at 
death  of  my  father 
)ncluded  to  return 
mind  to  make  this 
From  this  place 
after  peace.  My 
nore  settled,  after  I 
iliar  constitutional 
und  them  in  all 
nent  from  those  of 
)  social,  and  theit 
especially  towards 


LIFE   ON  THE   OCEAN. 

strangers ;  and  as  I  was  myself  naturally  of  a  sanguine 
character,  these  people  I  found  were  congenial  to  my 
views  and  feelings,  consequently,  I  resolved  to  reside 
amonff  them. 

A- "before  stated  I  joined  the  ship  C ,  Captain  G. 

bouuu  tor  London,  as  second  officer.  It  was  not  lonff 
before  she  was  ready  for  sea,  and  I  had  made  the  neces- 
sary  preparations  for  another  voyage. 

December  20,  1815.— After  bidding  adieu  to  the  family 
in  which  I  resided,  and  with  whom  I  was  on  the  most 
intimate  terms  of  frieudsliip,  we  cast  off  from  the  wharf 
r^id  stood  down  the  river  with  a  strong  breeze  from  the 
north-west.     22d,  at  7  a.  m.  discharged  the  pilot  and 
went  to  sea  with  a  north-west  gale.     This  ship  had 
been  originally  a  French  Guiueauian,  captured  by  the 
hiugiish,  and  was  afterwards  taken  by  the  Americans 
during  the  war.     She  was  an  old  3hip,  consequently 
weak,  and  in  addition  slic  had  been  risen  upon,  and 
hanius  now  three  decks,  of  course  much  of  the  weieht 
ol  her  cargo  was  carried  above  the  water.     She  wis 
therefore  very  crank  and  very  leaky.     The  captain  was 
an  old  nian  and  an  experienced  sailor.    The  chief  mate 
his  nephew,  had  served  his  time  with  him,  a  voxxntt 
active  and  bold  seaman;   the  foremast-men,  twelve  in* 
number,  were  all  able  seamen  ;   nevertheless  we  had  as 
much  as  we  could  atiend  to  during  the  passage,  which 
although   short,  yet  it  was   the  most   boisterous  and 
severe  of  any  that  I  had  yet  experienced.    Fortunately 
the  wind  was  lair  all  the  way,  and  we  never  showed 
anything    higher  than  double  reefed-topsails,  and  it 
required  the  labour  of  a  Avatch  at  the  pumps  to  keep  her 

'  j."  "^"""^^^n  days  and  six  hours  from  the  time  we 
cast  off  from  the  wharf,  we  were  to  an  anchor  in  Fal- 
mouth, England.  We  just  arrived  in  time  to  escape  a 
long  easterly  gale.  ^ 

Janmry  15,  1816.— Received  orders  this  day  to  pro- 
ceed to  London  with  the  ^hip,  and  as  the  easterly  gale 
abated  and  the  wind  hauled  round  southwani  and 
westward,  we  got  under  way,  stood  out  of  Falmouth 


WMipiPiRm^KlinFfPniPi 


248 


LIPB   ON  THE   OCEAN. 


harbour,  and  proceeded  up  the  British  Channel.  At 
sunset  it  commenced  to  rain,  and  the  weather  was 
thick  and  cloudy.  The  different  lights  were  seen  as 
tar  ns  the  Bill  of  Portland.  At  midnight  lost  sight  of 
the  land,  and  it  blew  a  gale  from  off  the  F'rench  coast ; 
close  reefed  the  topsails  and  steered  a  course  so  as  to 
keep  in  mid-chnnncl.  At  day  break  the  ship  was 
judged  to  be  off  Beachy  Head  ;  the  weather  being  so 
thick  the  land  could  not  be  seen.  The  fore  and  mizzen- 
topsails  were  now  fiulnd  and  the  ship  hove  to.  The 
rani  began  now  to  full  in  torrents,  and  the  heavy  dense, 
black  clouds  rose  with  fearful  rapidity  from  the  north- 
ward over  the  English  coast,  when  suddenly  the  wind 
shifted  from  the  south- west  to  north  and  blew  a  hur- 
ricane. The  mist  and  log  cleared  away,  and  to  our 
utter  astonishment  we  f()und  ourselves  on  a  lee  shore 
on  the  coast  of  France,  off  Bologne  heights.  The  gale 
was  so  violent  that  no  more  sail  could  be  made.  The 
ship  was  so  exceedingly  crank,  that  when  she  luffed  up 
on  a  wind,  her  bulwarks  were  imder  water.  As  she 
would  not  stay,  the  only  alternative  was,  to  Avear ; 
of  course  with  this  evolution  we  lost  ground,  and  con- 
sequently were  driven  nearer  every  moment  towards  the 
awful  strand  of  rocks.  The  scene  was  now  terrific, 
many  vessels  were  in  sight,  two  of  Avhich  we  saw 
dashed  on  the  rocks ;  with  the  tremendous  roar  of  the 
breakers,  and  the  howling  of  the  tempest,  and  the 
heavy  sea  which  broke  as  high  as  the  fore-yard,  death 
appeared  inevitable.  There  was  only  one  hope  left,  and 
that  was,  that  should  the  tide  change  and  take  us  under 
our  lee-beam,  it  might  possibly  set  us  off  on  the  nine 
fothom  bank,  which  is  situated  at  a  distance  of  twelve 
miles  north-north-west  off  Bologne  harbour.  In  the 
event  of  reaching  this  bank,  the  safety  of  the  ship,  and 
lives  of  the  crew  depended,  as  it  was  determined  there 
to  try  the  anchors,  for  there  was  no  possibility  of  keep- 
ing off  shore  more  ti^an  two  hours  if  the  gale  continued. 
We  were  now  on  the  larboard  tack,  and  for  the  last 
half  hour  it  was  perceived  that  the  tide  had  turned,  aud 


<ii*»«^«^-.  ^  .M»:ma»M>- 


■  .*>rt<iiii.'Th'iM 


sh  Channel.    At 
he  weather  was 
Its  were  seen  as 
light  lost  sight  of 
he  French  coast ; 
I  covirse  so  as  to 
ik  the  ship  was 
weather  being  so 
fore  and  raizzen- 
lip  hove  to.    The 
the  hea-/y  dense, 
r  from  the  north- 
iddenly  the  wind 
and  blew  a  hur- 
iway,  and  to  our 
res  on  a  lee  shore 
eights.     The  gale 
d  be  made.     The 
hen  she  lufTed  up 
3r  water.    As  she 
e  was,  to  wear; 
groimd,  and  con- 
)ment  towards  the 
was  now  terrific, 
which  we  saw 
Indous  roar  of  the 
tempest,  and  the 
e  fore-yard,  death 
one  hope  left,  and 
ind  take  us  under 
off  on  the  nine 
istance  of  twelve 
Iharbour,    In  the 
of  the  ship,  and 
determined  there 
jssibility  of  keep- 
e  gale  continued, 
and  for  the  last 
had  turned,  aud 


LIFB   ON  THE   OCBAN. 


249 


was  setting  to  the  northward;  this  was  our  last  and 
only  chance,  for  the  rocks  were  not  more  than  half  a 
mile  under  our  lee,  and  as  it  was  necessary  to  get  the 
ship's  head  round  on  the  starboard  tack,  which  could 
only  be  done  by  wearing,  it  was  certain  that  much 
ground  would  bo  lost  by  that  evolution.  The  anchors 
were  got  ready,  long  ranges  of  the  cables  were  hauled 
on  deck  and  the  ends  were  cli9ched  to  the  mainmast 
below,  this  being  done,  the  axes  were  at  hand  to  cut 
away  the  masts. 

I  have  before  remarked  that  Captain  C.  was  an  old, 
experienced  seaman,  and  I  nover  saw  before  or  since 
more  coo'ness,  judgment,  and  seamanship  than  was  dis- 
played by  him  on  this  trying  occasion.  In  this  perilous 
trial  the  most  intense  anxiety  was  manifested  by  the 
crew,  and  then  was  heard  the  deep-toned  voice  of  Cap- 
tain G.  rising  above  the  bellowing  storm,  commanding 
silence.  "Take  the  wheel,"  said  he  to  me,  and  then 
follov/ed  the  orders  in  quick  succession :  "lay  afl,  and 
man  the  braces — see  every  thing  clear  forward  to  wear 
ship — steady — ease  her— shiver  away  the  main-top* 
sail — put  your  helm  up — haul  in  the  weather  fore-braces, 
and  gather  in  the  after  yards."  The  ship  was  now 
running  before  the  wind  for  a  few  moments  directly  for 
the  rocks — the  situation  and  scene  was  truly  awful,  for 
she  was  not  more  than  three  hundred  yards  from  the 
breakers.  I  turned  my  head  aside — being  at  the  helm — 
to  avoid  the  terrific  sight,  and  silently  awaited  the  crisis. 
I  was  roused  at  this  moment  by  Oapt.  G.  who  shouted, 
"she  luffs,  my  boys !  brace  the  main-yard  sharp  up — 
haul  in  the  larboard  fore-braces — down  with  the  fore- 
tack,  lads,  and  haul  aft  the  sheet; — right  the  tielm! 
steady,  so — haul  taut  the  weather-braces,  and  belay  all." 
These  orders  were  given  and  executed  in  quick  succes- 
sion. The  ship  was  now  on  the  starboard-tack,  plung- 
ing bows  under  at  every  pitch.  Casting  a  fitful  glance 
ovm  my  shoulder,  I  saw  that  we  were  apparently  to  lee- 
ward of  the  rocks.  Very  soon,  however,  it  was  quite 
perceptible  that  the  tide  had  taken  her  on  the  iee  beam, 
and  was  setting  her  off  shpre. 
22 


'  '*       Jhii  'ifffn'iinniiiiniilftiii 


aMftwWt  I  ill  uiwwty' 


f 


250 


LIFE   ON   THE   OCEAN. 


The  gloom  began  now  to  Avear  nway  althouch  it  was 
doubtful  whether  we  should  btj  able  to  reach  tne  bank, 
and  if  successful  Avhether  the  anchors  would  hold  on. 
Orders  w— j  given  to  lay  aloft  and  seM  down  the  top' 

fallant-yards,  masts,  »fec.  The  helm  was  relieved,  and 
sprung  into  the  main  rigging,  the  chief-mate  going  up 
forward.  With  much  dilliculty  I  reached  the  main- 
topmast  cross-trees,  and  when  there,  it  was  almost  im- 
possible to  work,  for  the  ship  lay  over  at  an  angle  of  at 
least  forty-five  degrees,  and  1  Ibund  myself  swinging 
not  perpendicularly  over  the  ship's  deck,  but  at  least 
thirty  feet  from  it.  It  was  no  time,  however,  for  gazing. 
The  yard  rope  was  stoppered  out  on  the  quarter  of  the 
yard,  the  sheets,  clewlines  and  buntlines  cast  off,  and 
the  lift  slackened,  and  then  simultaneously  from  both 
mast-heads  the  cry  was  heard,  "sway  away!"  The 
parrel  cut,  the  yard  was  quickly  topped  and  unrigged,  and 
then  lowered  away  on  deck.  The  next  dtUy  to  per- 
form was  sending  uovn  the  tnp-gallantmasts.  After 
much  difficulty  and  hard  work  this  Avas  also  accom- 
plished, and  although  I  felt  some  pride  in  the  perfor- 
mance of  a  dangerous  service,  yet  on  this  occasion,  I  was 
not  a  little  pleased  Aviien  I  reached  the  deck  in  safety. 
By  this  time  Ave  had  gained  four  miles  off  shore,  and 
it  was  evident  that  the  soundings  indicated  our  ap- 
proach to  the  bank.  Tackles  Avere  rove  and  stretched 
along  forward  of  the  Avindlass,  as  well  as  deck  stoppers 
hooked  on  to  the  ringbolts  fore  and  aft.  "Loose  the 
fore-topsail  1"  shouted  Capt.  G.  "We  must  reach  this 
bank  before  the  tide  turns  or  by  morning  there  will  not 
be  left  a  timber  head  of  this  ship,  nor  one  of  us,  to  tell 
the  sad  tale  of  our  disaster."  The  topsail  was  loosed 
and  set,  and  the  ship  groaned  heavily  under  (he  im- 
mense pressure  of  canvas;  her  lee  rail  was  undet 
water,  arfd  every  moment  it  Avas  expected  that  the  top- 
mast or  the  canvas  Avould  yield.  The  deep  sea-lead 
was  taken  forward  and  hove;  when  the  line  reached 
the  after  part  of  the  main  channels,  the  seaman's  voice 
ro«e  high  in  the  air,  "by  the  deep  nine !"   It  was  three 


'^-  «i)te 


^ 


'ay  althouch  it  wa» 
to  reach  the  bank, 
lors  would  hold  on. 
sertd  down  the  top- 
1  was  relieved,  and 
!hiet-mnto  going  up 
reached  the  main- 
B,  it  was  ahnost  im- 
pr  at  an  angle  of  at 
d  myself  swinging 
deck,  but  at  least 
lowever,  for  gazing, 
n  the  quarter  of  the 
iitlines  cast  off,  and 
aneously  from  both 
iway  away!"     The 
dand  unrigged,  and 
B  next  duty  to  per- 
gallantmasts.    After 
is  was  also  accom- 
])ride  in  the  perfor- 
I  this  occasion,  I  was 

the  deck  in  safety, 
miles  off  shore,  and 
i  indicated  our  ap- 
B  rove  and  stretched 
ell  as  deck  stoppers 
nd  aft.  "Loose  the 
^Ve  must  reach  this 
rning  there  will  not 
nor  one  of  us,  to  tell 
i  topsail  was  loosed 
ivily  linder  (he  im- 
ee  rail  was  undei 
:pected  that  the  top- 

The  deep  sea-lead 
en  the  line  reached 

the  seaman's  voice 
line!"  It  was  three 


LIFE   ON   THE   OCEAN. 


801 


o'clock.  "Clew  up  and  furl  the  fore-topsail !"  shouted 
Gapt.  G.  The  topsail  furled  of  itself,  for  the  moment 
the  weather  sheet  was  started,  it  blew  away  from  the 
bolt-rope ;  the  foresail  was  imtrxidiately  hauled  up  and 
furled.  Relieved  from  the  gre(.t  pressure  of  canvas,  and 
having  now  nothing  on  her  except  the  main-topsail  and 
fore -topmast-staysail,  she  rode  more  upright.  The  main- 
topsail  was  cleweil  up  and  fortunately  saved,  the  mizzen- 
staysail  was  set.  "Stand  by  to  cut  away  the  stoppers 
of  the  best  bower  anchor — to  let  it  go  stock  and  fluke," 
said  Capt.  G.  "Man  the  fore-topmast-sfaysail  down- 
haul ;  put  your  helm  down  I  haul  down  tlie  staysail." 
This  was  done  and  the  ship  came  up  handsomely,  head 
to  wind.  "See  the  cable  tiers  all  clear — what  water  is 
there?"  said  Capt.  G.  The  leadsman  sung  out  in 
clear  voice,  "and  a  half  eight!"  I3y  this  time  the  ship 
way.     "Arc  you  all  clear  forward  there  ?" 


had  lost  her 


"Aye,  aye !  sir,"  was  the  reply.  "Stream  the  buoy  and 
let  go  the  anchor !"  shouted  Capt.  G.  The  order  was 
executed  as  rapidly  as  it  was  given  ;  the  anchor  was  on 
the  bottom  and  all  ready  had  fifty  fathoms  of  cable  run 
out,  making  the  %viudlass  smoke ;  and  although  the 
cable  was  weather  bitted  and  every  effort  was  made 
with  the  deck  stoppers  and  tackles  to  check  her,  all  was 
fruitless.  N  inety  fathoms  of  cablo  had  run  out  "Stand 
by  to  let  go  the  larboard  anchor,"  said  Captain  G. 
"Cheerily  men,  let  go  !"  In  the  same  breath  he  shouted 
"hold  on !"  for  just  then  there  was  a  lull,  and  havinff 
run  oui  the  best  bowpr  cable,  nearly  to  the  better  end, 
she  brought  up.  No  time  was  now  lost  in  getting  ser- 
vice on  the  cable  to  prevent  its  chafing.  She  was  now 
riding  to  a  single  anchor  of  two  thousand  weight,  with 
one  hundred  fathoms  of  a  seventeen  inch  hemp  cable. 
The  sea  rolled  heavily  and  broke  in  upon  the  dack  fore 
and  aft,  the  lower  yards  were  got  down,  the  topsail- 
yards  pointed  to  the  wind,  and  as  the  tide  hapd  now 
turned,  the  ship  rode  without  any  strain  on  her  cable 
because  it  tended  broad  on  the  beam. 
The  next  morniug  presented  a  dismal  scene,  for  there 


1 

! 


I 
1 

f 


■ 


'^na-aWHHi 


«t1 


VA 


LIFE   ON   THE   OCEAN. 


MPCire  more  thnii  fifty  snil  in  shore  of  us,  somff  ofwhom 
Hucccudod  in  rnaching  the  btuilc  and  anchored  with  loss 
.V  of  sails,  topmasts,  dtc.    Many  others  were  dashed  upon 
••jPthe  rocks  and  not  a  soul  was  left  to  tell  the  talo  of  their 
.  destrucliiMi.     I  s.inU  not  forget  that  on  the  second  day 
\  hen  a  Dntcli  galliot  was  driven  in  to  leeward  of  us-, 
and  althoi^i  by  c;arrying  on  a  tremendous  press  of  can- 
vas sho  snlroefied  in  keeping  off  shore  untd  5  p.  m.  yet 
at  siuisut  she  disappeared  and  was  seen  no  more.     Alter 
our  arrival  irf  Ijondon  wo  learned  that  this  unfortunate 
vessel  was  drf\'en  on  the  rocks  and  every  soul  on  board 
perished.  ' ; 

The  gale  continued  (()nr  days,  at  the  expiration  of 
which  tune  it  biokc  At  nufuight  the  wind  hauled 
round  to  ilie  eastward,  and  the  weather  became  so 
excessively-  cold,  fl'nt  although  we  commenced  heaving 
in  the  cable  at  6  a.  m.  yet  we  did  not  get  the  anchor 
until  9  that  night.  Close  reefed  topails  were  set  on 
the  ship,  and  we  stood  over  to  the  English  coast,  and 
anchored  to  the  westward  of  Dunginoss.  During  the 
whole  period  of  this  gale,  which  lasted  finir  days,  Capt. 
G.  never  for  one  moment  left  the  deck,  and  although 
well  advanced  in  years,  yet  his  iron  constitution  enabled 
him  to  overcome  the  calls  of  nature  for  rest ;  and  not- 
withstanding, the  situation  of  the  ship  was  perhaps 
more  crilicaT,  than  many  oC  tliosc  less  fortunate  vessels 
which  stranded  upon  tlw  v<irk.s,yet  his  coolness ^nd  the 
seaman-like  manner  with  wliich  the  ship  was  handled, 
no  doubt  were  the  means  of  our  being  saved. 

January  22. — The  next  morning  we  took  a  pilot  on 
board,  but  the  wind  continuing  to  blow  fresh  from  the 
eastward,  and  Dunginess  making  a  good  lee,  with  the 
wind  at  that  point,  we  did  not  get  under  way  until 
January  27th,  and  then  experienced  fresh  gales  and 
head  winds,  which  prevented  our  reaching  Gravesend 
until  thr  31st ;  where  we  exchanged  the  Dover  pilot 
for  one  belonging  to  the  river,  who  understood  his 
business,  and  who  took  the  ship  up  the  river  into  the 
London  dock  iu  handsome  style,  on  the  3d  day  of  Feb- 


NW 


T 


nipBM 


immmm 


LIFE  ON  THE   OCEAN. 


853 


US,  some  of  whom 
iiichorod  with  loss 
wore  (lashed  upon 
3ll  tho  talc  of  their 
on  tho  HCCdud  day 
I  to  looward  of  us ; 
idous  press  of  can- 
re  until  5  p.  M.  yet 
sn  no  more.  Alter 
at  this  unfortunate 
very  soul  on  board 

;  the  expiration  of 
the  wiiiil  liauled 
'^eathcr  bticame  so 
)mmencod  heaving 
not  get  the  anchor 
psails  were  set  on 
flnglish  coast,  and 
iness.  During  the 
od  (inir  days,  Capt. 
eck,  and  although 
institution  enabled 
for  rest ;  and  not- 
sliip  was  perhaps 
is  (iirtunato  vessels 
is  coolness  ^nd  the 
ship  was  handled, 
g  saved. 

we  took  a  pilot  on 
ow  fresh  from  the 
good  lee,  with  the 
under  way  until 
fresh  gales  and 
aching  Gravesend 
d  the  Dover  pilot 
understood  his 
the  river  into  the 
he  3d  day  of  Feb- 


ruary. Thus  It  will  bo  rwrcoivfid  that  we  were  four  and 
a  half  days  longer  from  Falmouth  to  London,  a  distance 
not  exceeding  two  hundred  milns,  than  from  Ualtimore 
to  Falmouth,  a  distanro  of  three  thousand  miles. 

The  cargo  was  discharged  with  all  possible  despatch, 
and  as  the  ship  leaked  badly,  she  was  taken  into  dry 
dock,  and  on  her  bottom  being  overhauled,  ^ome  leaki 
were  discovered  and  stonpod ;  after  which  she  waa 
hauled  into  tho  Lotidon  uock  and  entered  for  loading. 
In  this  dock  wo  remained  for  more  than  two  mouths,  a 
space  of  time  which  passed  mo-T  heavily  pnd  ted'ously 
than  any  I  had  ever  experience ..,  by  reason  of  the  strict 
regulations;  viz.  the  dock-ga'*e's  were  locked  a'v  4  o'clock, 
all  fires  were  than  extinguished,  and  no  firj  was  per- 
mitted until  daylight  the  next  n<  ruing.  Of  course  at 
this  season  of  the  year  the  days  were  sl.ort,  it  b(  ..g 
dark  at  5  o'clock,  so  that  there  was  about  fourteen  h<  .  s 
in  every  twenty-four  without  fire,  in  those  long,  •  J/  ry, 
cold  nights  ;  and  there  was  no  possible  way  of  evading 
the  vigilance  of  those  who  kept  watch.  -  t.  -.braced  the 
opportunity  firequently  to  visit  my  kinc'  ho  ♦.ess,  who 
entertained  me  so  hospitably  when  1  came  to  this  place 
from  Dartmoor  prison.  Many  cheerful  hours  were  spent 
in  the  society  ofthis  hospitable  family.  They  firequently 
pressed  me  to  make  their  house  my  home  during  my 
stay  in  London,  which  oft'er  was  cordially  accepted  as 
far  as  \\{as  practicable  apart  from  the  duti^'s  of  the  ship. 


1 


22» 


'-  ■*.  wjjtj*  I  mnaMifciaiU^ 


.«  ( 


CHAPTER  XXIII. 

PASSAGE    FROM   LONDON  TO  BALTIMORE — VOTAGE  TO  OfOHTO  AND 
ST.  UBK8 — DISASTER   ON   OPORTO   BAR,   AC. 

April  10. — We  had  now  completed  taking  in  our 
cargo,  and  every  thing  being  ready  for  sea,  we  hauled 
out  of  dock  on  the  morning  of  the  11th,  and  stood  down 
the  river  with  a  fair  wind.  The  river  pilot  was  ex- 
changed at  Gravesend  for  a  Dover  pilot,  after  which  we 
had  light  baffling  winds,  and  did  not  reach  the  south 
foreland  until  the  14th,  when  the  pilot  was  discharged, 
sail  was  made,  and  we  stood  down  the  channel  with  a 
light  easterly  wind.  Not  long  after  getting  into  sea- 
way, the  ship  leaked  as  badly  as  ever,  so  that  after 
passing  the  Scilly  Isles,  fears  were  entertained  that  we 
should  have  to  put  back,  as  it  required  one  pump  to  be 
kept  going  contmually,  and  in  heavy  weather  both  were 
necessary  to  keep  her  free.  Fortunately,  however,  we 
had  but  few  gales,  and  as  we  took  the  wind  to  the 
northward  after  leaving  the  channel,  we  fell  into  the 
middle  latitude,  from  which  it  was  almost  impossible  to 
get  either  to  the  northward  or  southward.  In  this  lati- 
tude we  had  a  long,  course  of  light  southerly  winds, 
veering  freqently  to  the  westward,  and  during  the  whole 
course  of  our  long  passage,  which  was  ninety  days,  we 
had  but  one  gale,  and  the  remainder  was  a  constant 
jsuccession  of  light  westerly  winds  with  but  few  excep- 
tions. 

We  arrived  in  the  Chesapeake  Bay,  July  7th,  after  a 
most  tedious  and  unpleasant  passage  of  eighty-seven 
days,  short  of  provisions  and  water,  with  a  leeky  ship 
and  discontent  and  discord  prevailing  aihong  the  crew. 
This  state  of  insubordination  rendered  the  situation  of 


tuniijithiiru" 


iili. 


iif .  aifcili'wiT*-r--ir 


LIFE   ON  THE   OCEAN. 


850 


[. 


TAGE  TO  orOBTO  AKO 
I    EAR,   &C. 

ed  taking  in  our 
for  sea,  we  hauled 
th,  and  stood  down 
iver  pilot  was  ex- 
lot,  after  which  we 
lot  reach  the  south 
lot  was  discharged, 
the  channel  with  a 
r  getting  into  sea- 
ever,  so  that  after 
entertained  that  we 
ed  one  pump  to  be 
weather  both  were 
ately,  however,  we 
c  the  wind  to  the 
si,  we  fell  into  the 
Imost  impossible  to 
ward.    In  this  lati- 
t  southsrly  winds, 
id  duripg  the  whole 
as  ninety  days,  we 
er  was  a  constant 
irith  but  few  excep- 

ly,  July  7th,  after  a 
e  of  eighty-seven 
with  a  loaky  ship 
5  among  the  crew, 
red  the  situation  of 


the  officers  exceedingly  unpleasant,  as  the  duties  of  the 
ship  must  be  enforced  at  all  hazards,  consequently 
frequent  conflicts  with  the  sailors  were  not  unusual, 
and  when  chastisement  had  not  the  desired  effect,  we 
found  the  surest  method  to  bring  them  to  their  senses 
was  to  stop  the  provisions  :  this  generally  succeeded.. 
It  was  a  matter  of  great  saiisfaction  to  me  when  we 
arrived  in  Baltimore  on  the  loth,  after  a  passage  of 
ninety  days  from  London. 

I  took  up  my  residence  in  the  family  of  Mrs.  J.  where 
1  received  etery  mark  of  kindness  and  attention,  and 
for  whom.  I  formed  a  strong  attachment,  and  had  reason 
to  believe  it  was  reciprocated  by  them.  This  femily 
consisted  of  Mrs.  J.  four  daughters  and  two  sons.  The 
two  elder  daughters  were  probably  at  this  time  about 
fifteen  and  seventeen  years  of  age,  and  were  what  are  gen- 
erally called  handsome  brunettes,  pleasing  in  their  man- 
ners, possessing  all  that  good  humor  and  vivacity  which 
distinguishes  them  from  the  frigid  austerity  peculiar  to 
the  northern  ladies.  Through  their  influence  and  in- 
troduction, I  soon  formed  an  extensive  acquaintance, 
by  which  my  time  not  only  passed  off  agreeably,  but 
flew  as  it  were  on  golden  wings ;  and  associations  were 
now  formed  that  fixed  the  destinies  of  my  after  life. 
Mrs.  J.  was  a  widow  of  about  forty-five  years  of  age ;  the 
morning  of  her  life  had  been  peculiarly  marked  with 
the  sunshine  of  prosperity;  but  the  evening  of  her  days 
and  widowhood  were  shrouded  in  the  gloom  of  lidver- 
uty;  reverses  had  taken  place,  and  by  one  or  two 
mysterious  acts  of  providence,  she  was  not  only  depriv- 
ed of  nearly  all  her  substance,  but  also  of  the  partner  of 
her  joys  and  sonows.  She  bore  these  adverse  provi< 
dences  with  becoming  christian  fortitude,  for  she  fecuned 
God,  and  notwithstanding  all  these  blighting  discourage- 
ments  sne  did  not  give  way  to  despondency  or  despair; 
but  feeling  a  just  sense  of  obligation  to  her  chilaren, 
she  toiled  day  and  night  for  their  wel&re.  Providence 
accompanying  those  efforts  with  its  blessing,  enabled  her 
to  rear  her  children  in  great  respectability.    When  I  first 


,M 


■  -m 


'"& 


I 


'-"  ■"■'""■n-iiiraraiiiiffiViiii 


y^ 


■■■— »«itj^^/jg>yS'ai>sii»i  nupjff.i"-'  .i.ij'1' .".  mi. 


mmimmimmm-mmm 


4256 


LIFE   ON  THE   OCEAN. 


became  acquainted  in  this  family,  and  learned  the  cir- 
cumstances which  have  been  related,  it  was  not  strange, 
especially  as  my  temperament  was  of  a  sanguine  cast, 
that  1  should  take  a  deep  interest  in  their  welfare ;  and 
v>"hether  1  was  worthy  or  unworthy  of  their  faith,  yet 
great  confidence  was  reposed  in  mo  by  them;  and  I 
began  to  suspect  that  the  strong  attachment  I  had  for 
them  might  possibly  eventuate  in  something  nearer 
than  mere  friendship.  I  was  the  more  confirmed  in  this, 
by  having  as  it  were  insensibly  bestowed  some  mark- 
ed civilities  and  attentions  to  the  eldest  daughter,  who 
at  that  time  had  more  than  one  admirer.  Thus  then 
stood  the  situation  of  affairs  when  application  was  made 
to  me  to  go  as  mate  of  the  ship  W.  P.  Captain  S.  bound 
for  Oporto,  St.  Ubes,  and  back  to  the  United  States.  As 
1  had  been  on  shore  nearly  two  months  and  a  half,  and 
the  wages  and  employ  were  good,  I  accepted  the  offer, 
and  immediatety  went  on  board  and  took  in  a  cargo, 
which  consisted  of  corn  in  bulk.  In  about  a  fortnight 
the  ship  was  ready  for  sea. 

The  day  appointed  for' sailing  had  arrived  and  all 
hands  were  on  board,  and  after  i  had  bidden  adieu  to 
the  interesting  family  with  whom  I  lived,  and  for  whom 
I  had  the  strongest  attachment,  next  to  my  own  mother 
and  sisters,  the  ship  %vas  cast  off  from  the  wharf,  and  in 
a  few  minutes  we  were  under  a  press  of  canvas,  stand- 
ing down  the  river  with  a  light  westerly  wind.  My 
feelings  at  this  time  were  peculiar,  and  such  as  I  had 
never  experienced  before  when  leaving  my  native  land. 
Gertainly  when  I  left  Boston  on  my  first  voyage,  such 
was  the  difference  in  my  condition  from  a  clerk  in  a 
counting-house  to  a  conunon  Jack  before  the  mast,  that 
I  could  not  help  feeling  some  regret  at  the  change; 
especially  as  the  tall  spires  of  the  city  receded  in  the 
distance ;  but  then  the  change  was  of  my  own  seeking, 
consequently,  ambition  came  to  my  relief,  and  soon 
those  feelings  gave  place  to  the  exciUng  scenes  induced 
by  the  novelty  of  the  ship's  duty.  The  case,  however, 
now  was  entirely  different    I  had  been  eight  years 


iMS 


I  -  ''"-"hi  li  ■iiMf- -  -  -^  -■"■■-------"^■•-^ 


»-rt=«*IiBWia*''«»--'**'*l 


W 


i  learned  the  cir- 
t  was  not  strange, 
a  sanguine  cast, 
heir  welfare ;  and 
of  their  faith,  yet 
by  them;  and  1 
chment  I  had  for 
something  nearer 
confirmed  in  this, 
>wed  some  rnark- 
est  daughter,  who 
nirer.  Thus  then 
)lication  was  made 
Captain  S.  bound 
Jnited  States.  As 
hs  and  a  half,  and 
accepted  the  offer, 
i  took  in  a  cargo, 
I  about  a  fortnight 

id  arrived  and  all 
id  bidden  adieu  to 
ved,  and  for  whom 
to  my  own  mother 
the  wharf,  and  in 
of  canvas,  stand- 
sterly  wind.    My 
md  such  as  I  had 
my  native  land, 
first  voyage,  such 
from  a  clerk  in  a 
Ifore  the  mast,  that 
!t  at  the  change; 
[ity  receded  in  the 
my  own  seeking, 
relief,  and  soon 
ig  scenss  induced 
he  case,  however, 
been  eight  years 


LIFE   ON  THE   OCEAN. 

following  a  sea  life,  and  my  relatives  were  far  dis^p,^ 
What  bond.W^Vl^ti»<^»iJ^in5effi8iWy'^aihered  around 
my  feelings  and  caused  so  much  regret,  and 'as  I  then 
thought  unwillingness  to  depart  ?  Surely,  thought  I,  a 
new  era  must  have  sprung  up  in  my  existence :  and 
although  at  first  I  was  unwilling  to  believi  that  any 
serious  attachment  had  been  formed  for  any  member  of 
the  family  of  Mrs.  J.  yet  conviction  flashed  over  my 
mind  with  all  the  force  of  truth,  and  in  revolving  over 
in  my  mind  how  these  new  feelings  would  terminate, 
I  was  aroused  from  my  reverie  by  an  order  from  the 
pilot,  to  set  the  topmast  and  top-gallant-studdings&ils. 

The  ship  was  deeply  laden  and  moved  heavily  through 
the  water,  but  we  had  a  fair  wind  and  reached  Cape 
Henry  in  two  days,  where  we  discharged  the  pilot,  and 
on  the  28th  September,  1816,  took  our  departure  firom 
Cape  Henry,  at  4  p.  m.  bearing  north-west,  distant  four 
leagues.  As  usual  when  leaving  the  land  the  watches 
were  chosen,  and  as  the  manner  of  it  has  already  been 
detailed  I  shall  enter  into  no  ferther  particulars.  After 
the  watches  had  been  chosen.  Captain  S.  made  the 
following  speech  to  the  crew.  "In  tha  first  place,"  said 
he,  "you  will  distinctly  understand,  that  no  swearing 
or  fighting  is  allowed  on  board  of  this  ship — be  obedient 
to  the  officers  and  discharge  your  duty,  and  you  will  be 
used  well.  You  shall  have  the  forenoon  watch  below, 
anci  watch  and  watcii  in  bad  weather.  Saturdays  will 
be  allowed  you  to  cleanse  the  forecastle,  wash  and 
mend  your  clothes,  <fcc.  as  I  shall  permit  nothing  of 
that  kind  to  be  done  on  the  Sabbath  day."  I  was 
much  pleased  with  this  harangue,  as  it  spoke  favour- 
ably for  the  future  treatment  of  Uie  crew.  In  this  I ' 
was  not  disappointed.  Captain  S.  was  a  native  of 
Nantucket,  and  had  in  his  younger  days  followed  the 
whale  fishery.  He  was  kind  and  benevolent,  moral  in 
his  deportment  and  a  first  rate  seaman  and  navigator. 
He  was  companionable  ,and  gentlemanly,  and  yet  kept 
up  as  good  a  discipline  as  could  be  exerted  on  board  of 
a  merchant  ship.    The  second  mate  was  a  young  man 


mmntummmMMHUM 


'iiHiwiiiiwiii 


258 


LIFE   ON        fR    OCEAN. 


'>flY.ent;^,  limited  in  his  experience,  though  active  and 
foremost  in  flie'uiS'^harg?  of  ihs-  ('^•i^k^-.f'^jcftli'jijg-te  his 
station.  The  crew,  twelve  in  number,  including  the 
cook  and  steward,  were  generally  stout  able  seamen, 
and  although  somewhat  refractory,  owing  probably  to 
the  continual  state  of  inebriation  indulged  in  while  on 
shore,  yet  the  firmness  and  decision  of  Captain  S.  soon 
brought  them  to  their  senses,  and  finer  seamen  or  better 
disposed  men,  never  were  on  board  of  a  ship. 

My  observations  on  the?  judicious  conduct  of  Captain 
S.  induced  me  to  believe,  that  by  a  proper  course  of 
treatfxient  to  sailors,  many  of  the  evils  and  hardships 
experienced  by  seamen,  may,  in  a  great  degree  at  least, 
be  alleviated ;  and  although  there  are  instances  where 
the  best  treatment  is  observed  towards  a  crew  by  the 
ofiicers,  nevertheless  the  basest  ingratitude  is  sometimes 
exhibited  by  sailors  in  return  ;  however,  as  a  general 
rule,  I  believe  that  g&od  officers  and  kind  treatment 
will  make  a  good  crew. 

Nothing  material  transpired  during  this  passage,  except 
that  when  we  reached  the  length  of  the  banks  of  New- 
foundland, codfish  were  caught  in  great  numbers,  so 
much  so,  that  by  corning  them  they  lasted  us  the 
remainder  of  the  passage.  In  thirty-five  days  we  ar- 
rived off  the  liarbor  of  O^wrto,  Saw  a  number  of 
fishing  boiiis,  one  of  which  came  alongside,  and  from 
which  we  took  a  pilot  to  run  us  as  far  as  the  mouth  of 
the  harbor;  here  it  became  necessary  to  anchor  to  wait 
t!!!  the  tide  serv^ed. 

The'  harbor  of  Oporto  is  perhaps  as  difficult  of  access,  • 
as  any  in  the  southof  Europe.  A  bar  lies  of  its  mouths 
The  bottom  is  rocky  and  has  but  twelve  feet  water  at 
low  tide.  The  navigation  of  the  river  is  exceedingly 
difficult,  having  many  shoals  with  a  rapid  tide.  We 
lay  ofl"  the  bar  thirty-six  hours,  and  exchanged  our  sea 
pilot  for  two  river  pilots  ;  they  brought  with  them  two 
boats  having  a  hawser  and  kedge  in  each ;  the  end  of 
the  hawsers  where  passed  in  at  each  bow  and  the  boats 
were  stationed  in  the  same  direction.    It  was  necessary 


"Ir'Mi! 


mrmmmmt-':-.- 


LIFE   ON   THE   OCEAN. 


259 


lough  active  and 
.  Hftvoii'jisS'to  his 
3T,  including  the 
;out  able  seamen, 
wing  probably  to 
alged  in  while  on 
f  Captain  S.  soon 
r  seamen  or  better 
'  a  ship. 

onduct  of  Captain 
a  proper  course  of 
ils  and  hardships 
eat  degree  at  least, 
re  instances  where 
jirds  a  crew  by  the 
itude  is  sometimes 
rever,  as  a  general 
lid  kind  treatment 

this  passage,  except 
tVie  banks  of  New- 
great  numbers,  so 
liey  lasted  us  the 
jr-fiive  days  wo  ar- 
law  a  number  of 
ongside,  and  froni 
far  as  the  mouth  of 
to  anchor  to  wait 

p  difficult  of  access, - 
Irlies  off  its  mouthv 
twelve  feet  water  at 
[iver  is  exceedingly 
a  rapid  tide.  We 
exchanged  our  sea 
[ght  with  them  two 
I  each;  theettdof 
bow  and  the  boats 
It  was  necessary 


to  take  this  precaution,  on  account  of  the  rapidity  of  the 
tide  as  well  as  the  narrowness  of  the  channel. 

November  4. — The  tide  now  serving  and  the  wind 
being  fair,  got  under  way  and  passed  the  bar  in  safety, 
and  entered  the  river.     Here  we  ff  und  the  utility  of  the 
boats,  the  cfiannel  being  so  narrow  and  the  tide  setting 
in  every  direction  made  it  necessary. frequently  to  let  go 
the  kedgcs  in  order  to  cant  the  ship.  The  boatmen  were 
more  aclive  in  wor.:ing  a  kedge  than  any  that  I  had 
ever   seen ;   indeed   it  is   higlity   necfssary   tjiat  they 
should  be  so,  for  on  their  alertness  tae  safety  of  the 
sbinnnd  cargo  oftentimes  depends.     Wc  arrived  off  the 
town  in  safety,  and  dropped  the  ship  into  the  pier,  head 
on,  made  her  fasi  :>nd  run  an  anciior  out  astern  to  pre- 
vent her  from   swinging.     All  necessary  preparations 
were  made  f<)r  discharging,  such  as  rigging  out  a  stage 
from   the   bows   to  the  pier,  &c.     It  may  be  well  to 
remark,  that  every  vessel  coming  to  this  port  with  corn, 
is  obliged  to  retail  the  cargo.    This  regulation  is  a  good 
one,  because  it  affords  an  equal  chance  to  persons  of 
limited  means  to  cone  with   those  whose  means   are 
abundant.      When  the  hatches  were  opened,  the   in- 
habitants flocked  on  board  in  great  numbers,  especially 
the  women,  who,  as  I  understood,  were  the  only  persons 
that  carried  on  the  baking  business  ;   and  it  was  a  mat- 
ter of  the  most  perfect  astonishment  to  see  those  women 
cairy  from  three  to  four  bushels  of  corn  on  their  heads 
a  distance  of  half  a  mile,  and  for  the  most  part  up  a  steep 
hill.     These  women  are  rather  of  a  lovr  stature,  with  a 
broad  chest,  and  in  all  respects  very  stoutly  made. 
They  are  a  most  hardy  race,  bering  a  mixture  of  the 
Moqt  and  Portuguese.    They  appear  to  be  of  iron  con- 
stitutions, and  although  labouring  incessantly  in  all 
kinds  of  weather,  they  nev6r  shrink  or  are  intimidated. 
Oporto  lies  in  the  parallel  of  41°  11'  north  latitude 
and  8°  38'  west  longitude.    It  cannot  be  seen  from  sea- 
ward, but  when  in  the  harbo'"  its  lofty  buildings  and 
tall  spires  present  a  fine  commanding  appearance,  es- 
pecially as  you  have  at  one  view  a  sight  of  nearly  the 


„<'•■;- 


■^JviljBiWiiii*)**'".-^''' '  "^ 


1 1  i 


LIFE  ON  THE   OCEAN. 


whole  city,  it  being  built  on  the  sif]c  of  a  hill ;  but  like 
all  other  Portugueaf"  nit'cs,  liio  ft 'rets  are  narrow  and 


t/e 


houses  compels 
This  opinion 
'  dt  the  streets  are 
iiiption,  from  the 


dirty,  and  the  iuter.<v  -A'  met  y  oi 
one  to  believe  that  JJu&tr/  dwells  :l! 
ii  mucfi  strengiSi^ricil  i'fui  il  •  fa:t 
swarme-]  with  beggars  of  every  di 
prie&t,  in  Uva  canoin«"al  robes  down  to  thesquulid  misera- 
f'le  wretch,  whose  loathsomeness  and  irniX)rtunity  often- 
tis.ves  obliges  one  to  turn  away  with  the  greatest disgt  jt. 
There  too  may  be  seca  at  a1n\ost  -^voiy  bend  and  corner 
of  the  stv -ets,  p  mendicant  iiiiir  with  a  small  picture  of 
the  Virgin  Mary,  ov  of  the  Savi:  liv  upon  the  cross ;  this 
is  presoijted  to  everv  oi  that  passes  by,  and  the 
greatest  unp ovtunity  is  muuj  by  the  priest  for  alms  in 
the  name  of  tbe  Virgin,  or  of  the  Saviour,  as  the  case 
may  be.  If  the  person  addressed  be  a  Portuguese,  he 
is  obliged  to  ;^ive  something  or  kiss  the  image ;  and 
should  a  fftittigner  be  importuneJ,  which  is  not  often 
the  case,  they  generally  give  a  lew  pence  to  get  clear  of 
these  miserai)[o  men.  But  of  all  the  impositions  which 
are  carried  C3i,  none  appear  to  me  to  savour  so  much  of 
injustice  and  oppression,  as  the  exaction  of  tithes.  On 
board  of  our  sijip  there  were  four  priests  stationed  who 
obliged  every  fierson  purchasing  corn  to  deliver  unto 
them  a  tenth  pan.  1  have  seen  these  priests  in  many 
instances  wrest  from  the  poor  people — who  perhaps  were 
not  able  to  purchase  mora  than  one  bushel — their  quo'' a 
of  corn,  notwithstanding  the  poor  wretches  would  plead 
for  exemption  in  the  most  pitiable  manner ;  nevertheless 
these  miscreants  were  inexorable.  This  was  also  the 
case  with  the  poor  fishermen,  who  after  great  toil  and 
exposure  had  succeeded  in  obtaining  a  quaiitity  of  fish  ; 
yet  they  were  not  privileged  to  dispose  of  any  until  ^he 
priests,  had  selected  their  part,  which  in  every  instance 
Yere  the  best  fish.  Away  then,  thought  I,  ^with  a 
religion  which  countenances  so  much  intolerance  or 
oppression.  The  spirit  of  Christianity  does  not  inculcate, 
neither  does  its  heavenly  precepts  tsach  the  doctrine  to 
grind  the  fece  of  the  poor.    And  how  little,  thought  I, 


r 


■•■^'-'ImMJim   ' 


F  a  kill ;  but  like 
s  are  narrow  and 
houses  comiwls 
.    This  opinion 
dt  the  streets  are 
liption,  from  the 
le  squulid  misora- 
rnjjortunity  often- 
5  greatest  disg'  »t. 
bend  and  corner 
a  small  picture  of 
m  the  cross ;  this 
36$  by,  and  the 
priest  for  alms  in 
viour,  as  the  case 
a  Portuguese,  he 
the  image ;   and 
rhich  is  not  often 
rice  to  get  clear  of 
mpositions  which 
lavour  so  much  of 
on  of  tithes-    On 
sts  stationed  who 
n  to  deliver  unto 
i  priests  in  many 
who  perhaps  were 
ishel — thiir  quc'-a 
ches  would  plead 
tier ;  nevertheless 
his  was  also  the 
ter  great  toil  and 

quaiitity  of  fish ; 

of  any  until  ^he 
in  every  instance 
aught  1,'^with  a 
intolerance  or 
oes  not  inculcate, 

1  the  doctrine  to 

little,  thought  I, 


LIFE   ON   THE   OCEAN. 


261 


do  our  countrymen  appreciate  the  blessings  of  civil  and 
religious  liberty,  and  the  superior  advantages  which 
they  enjoy  over  the  greater  part  of  the  nations  of 
Europe,  especially  those  who  are  under  the  dominion 
of  Catholicism. 

In  twenty-six  days  the  cargo  was  all  sold,  the  specie 
on  board,  the  ship  ballasted  and  ready  for  sea,  being 
now  bound  to  St.  Ubes  for  a  cargo  of  salt.  We  had  the 
same  pilots  and  boats  who  brought  us  into  port.  Drop- 
ped down  to  the  mouth  of  the  river  iu  company  with  an 
American  barque,  bound  also  to  St.  Ubes.  Tlie  weather 
being  boisterous  and  the  tide  not  serving,  we  lay  two 
days  at  anchor  •,  at  the  expiration  of  which  got  under 
wny  to  cross  the  bar.  This  was  in  opposition  to  the 
judgment  of  G'apt.  S.  becaus3  at  the  time  there  were 
"neap  tides,"  the  weather  was  squally,  and  the  wind 
scant,  and  probably  there  would  be  barely  sufficient 
water  to  carry  the  ship  over  the  bar.  Now  as  we  had 
specie  to  the  amount  of  fourteen  thousand  dollars,  and 
the  pilots  were  not  much  better  than  Moors,  Capt.  S. 
was  fearfiil  that  they  had  taken  this  opportunity  to  cross 
the  bar  with  a  view  that  the  ship  might  strike,  and  in 
that  case  they  would  most  certainly  get  a  heavy  haul  at 
the  specie.  On  reaching  the  bar  the  wind  headed  off 
and  the  ship  beat  violently  upon  the  rocks,  breaking  all 
the  pintles  of  the  rudder,  except  the  upper  one.  By 
dint  of  great  exertion  and  management  oi'  the  sails,  we 
got  her  over  the  bar,  and  came  to  an  anchor.  The  rud- 
der still  continuing  to  hang  on,  we  secured  its  head  as 
far  as  practicable,  and  concluded  to  make  the  best  of 
our  way  to  St.  Ubes,  in  preference  to  going  back  to 
Oporto,  especially  as  the  captain  of  the  barque  agreed 
to  keep  company  in  case  of  accident. 

When  three  days  out  we  experienced  a  heavy  gale, 
but  to  our  great  satisifaction  the  mdder  continued  in  its 
place.  After  the  gale  had  moderated,  however,  andthe. 
wind  had  fallen  to  nearly  a  calm,  there  being  conside- 
rable swell  at  the  time,  the  pindes  all  gavo  way  and 
down  went  the  rudder.  We  had  taken  the  previous 
23 


tJ^stim. 


*Jwr.. ,  V-  ■:.■,  lAinV^iiBfti  h'nii  I 


■'74r^«,*M^*^- ; 


'M' 


1) 


m 


26? 


LIFE   ON  THE   OCEAN. 


precaution  to  reeve  a  stout  rope  through  tlie  rudder 
nead,  and  as  the  casing  was  wide  the  rope  run  out 
freely,  and  by  this  means  we  saved  it.  A  signal  now 
was  hove  out  to  the  barque  which  was  still  in  sight ; 
she  came  up  and  took  us  in  tow,  after  which  the  rudder, 
although  of  immense  weight,  was  hoisted  on  deck.  On 
examination  it  was  found  that  the  composition  pintles, 
four  in  number,  were  broken  off;  the  only  one  remain- 
ing was  of  iron,  which  hung  between  the  water's  edge 
and  the  head  of  the  rudder.  As  it  may  be  of  importance 
to  some  of  my  readers,  I  will  describe  the  manner  in 
which  we  proceeded,  in  order  that  the  rudder  might  be 
re-hung  to  steer  the  ship  to  her  destined  port. 

In  the  first  plac?,  the  iron  pintle  was  taken  off,  and 
the  bearding  of  the  rudder  above  the  lower  pintle  was 
cut  away,  so  as  to  fit  the  iron  pintle  in  its  place ;  then 
two  square  holes  were  cut  in  the  forward  part  of  the 
rudder,  through  which  were  rove  a  large  rope,  with  a 
topsail-sheet  knot  in  each  end  ;  at  the  head  of  the  rud- 
der a  large  ringbolt  was  driven.  These  preparations 
being  made  it  was  hoisted  out  as  well  as  the  boat ;  the 
ends  of  the  two  large  ropes  were  then  taken  in  at  each 
gangway,  and  led  to  the  windlass,  and  to  our  gi'eat 
satisfaction,  although  there  was  a  considerable  swell, 
the  first  attempt  that  was  made,  (after  we  had  hoisted 
the  rudder  up  the  casing  by  sheers,)  we  succeeded  in 
hanging  it ;  aftei;  which  the  ropes  at  the  windlass  were 
hove  taut,  so  as  to  secure  the  heel  to  the  stem  post 
Straps  werfi  fitted  to  go  over  the  rudder-head,  and 
secured  to  the  deck,  in  order  to  keep  it  in  its  place ; 
the  tiller  was  then  shipped,  and  we  found  that  she 
answered  her  hel-^i  the  same  as  ever.  The  hawser 
was  now  cast  off  from  the  barque,  all  sail  was  made, 
with  a  fair  wind,  and  in  two  days  we  arrived  safely  at 
the  port  of  St.  Ubes. 


t 


lugh  tlie  radder 
tie  rope  run  out 
A  signal  now 
is  still  in  sight; 
/^hich  the  rudder, 
3d  on  deck.  On 
iposition  pintles, 
)nly  one  reniain- 
the  water's  edge 
be  of  importance 
e  the  manner  in 
rudder  might  be 
d  port. 

IS  taken  off,  and 
lower  pintle  was 
its  place ;  then 
rward  part  oCthe 
irge  rope,  Avith  a 
head  of  the  rud- 
ese  preparations 
IS  the  boat ;  the 
taken  in  at  each 
nd  to  our  gi'eat 
isiderable  swell, 
■  we  had  hoisted 
ive  succeeded  in 
le  windlass  were 
)  the  stem  post 
idder-head,  and 
)  it  in  its  place ; 
found  that  she 
r.  The  hawser 
[  sail  was  made, 
arrived  safely  at 


CHAPTER   XXIV. 

HtTURN  TO    THE  VmVKU  STATE8-V0VAGE  TO  THE  WEST  INDUS- 
SUPBRNATUHAL   APPEARANCES    ON   BOARD. 

seentSTf  t^^^^  {'\  ^'^^^  Receding  chapter,  it  will  be 
^?/\hl  ,7''"  "^  ''^''*'  '^^^^  imiwssible  to  have  ship- 
ped  the  rudder  m  a  sea-way  if  it  had  been  one  of 
the  patent  kind;  but  as  this  was  an  old  fashioned  one 

rTencld  in'^"^  '"f"?^  large,  little  difficulty  was  expe- 
rienced m  tlie  whole  operat  on.  Another  creat  obiert 
vva.attained-.if  the  ship  had  been  towe5  guop^rtS 

S?^weli^?hnT"^'^,'\'^?  '^'"^"^^^  ^  '^^""^Se  of  at  leWt  ten 
or  twelve  thousand  dollars,  as  it  Avas,  however,  a  small 
cornpensatu)n  of  three  hundred  dollar^  was  alone  awTrd 
ea  to  the  barque,  so  that  in  view  of  al^  this,  the  old 
ff  w"^M  °'^''ie^  completing  the  rudder  and  casing, 
IS  preferable  The  rudder  was  again  unhung  and 
hoisted  in ;  the  carpenter  fitted  moulds,  and  Camain  S 
proceeded  to  Lisbon  and  got  a  set  of  pintles  and  braces 
cast,  which  were  fitted  on  to  the  rudder,  and  it  was 
again  put  in  its  place.  ' 

We  now  commenced  taking  in  a  cargo  of  salt,  and  it 
was  a  matter  of  astonishment  to  see  with  what  dexterity 
and  accuracy  the  PrM-tnguese  salt-heavers  hove  it  on  the 
deck.  Our  rail  was  iit  least  ton  feet  from  the  water's 
edge,  notwithstanding  they  appeared  to  work  with  as 
much  ease  as  if  they  were  heaving  it  on  a  level.  Six  of 
those  men  will  do  more  xvork  in  a  day  at  heaving  salt, 
ttian  twenty  sailors  ;  this  fact  was  established  by  a  bet 
during  the  time  we  lay  there.  In  a  few  days  we  cofii- 
ri«^d  taking  in  our  cargo,  and  on  the  7th  of  December, 
got  under  way,  made  all  sail  and  stood  to  sea,  home- 
ward bound.  ' 


■  i«»if  a*f\Ttf^-'  ■'^'••'•'■•'^^  A< 


264 


LIFE   ON  THE   OCEAN. 


The  jTort  of  St.  IJbcs  lies  in  the  latitude  of  38°  32'  N, 
and  longitude  8°  SO  west.  It  has  a  fine  harbour  where 
vessels  may  lay  with  the  most  perfect  security,  it  being 
nearly  laud  locked,  and  the  entrance  is  very  narrow. 
St.  Ubes  is  an  excellent  port  for  shipping,  as  refresh- 
ments of  all  kinds  may  be  had  in  aouudanco  and  at 
very  low  rates ;  as  a  proof  of  this  our  sliip  with  a  com- 
plement of  lt>urtcen  men,  was  supplied  with  fresh  fisli 
lor  twelve  and  a  half  cents  ]x;rday  ;  and  fruit,  especially 
crajies,  may  be  obtained  in  great  (jnantities.  Tlie  grapes 
hero  arc  the  largest  and  most  delicious  that  1  have  seen 
in  any  part  of  the  world. 

The  town  of  St.  l^bcs  is  small  and  at  this  period  con- 
tained about  eight  thousand  inhabitants.  The  trade  is 
inconsiderable  as  it  has  no  other  export  but  salt.  Busi- 
ne.ss  can  never  augment  in  any  great  degree  in  this 
nlace,  because  it  nmst  remain  entirely  eclipsed  by  Lis- 
Don,  which  is  only  about  sixty  miles  distant  from  it. 

\\"e  continued  our  course  southwardly,  and  on  the 
14th  of  December  saw  the  fine  island  of  Madeira,  bear- 
ing south-south-east  ton  leagues  ;  from  this  period  we 
had  a  frosli  breeze  until  we  reached  the  parallel  of  27° 
north.  This  bring  Avithiu  the  limit  of  the  trade  winds, 
and  as  they  Avere  now  liosii  and  fan-,  we  steered  away  to 
the  westward.  In  a  few  days,  hoM'ever,  the  trade  winds 
became  very  light  and  continued  so  until  we  had  run 
our  westing  up.  After  luailiiig  the  ship  to  the  north- 
ward, the  Avcatiier  became  boisterous,  and  on  reaching 
the  coast  of  America  we  had  long  and  severe  north-west 
gales.  Tiiose  head  winds,  together  with  the  light  trade 
winds,  knuthenod  our  passage,  and  it  was  61  days  be- 
fore we  arrived  in  the  Chesapeake  Bay,  which  was  on 
the  7th  day  of  February,  1817 ;  and  it  was  not  until  the 
16th  that  wo  arrived  in  Baltimore,  making  a  passage  of 
70  daj's.  There  are  no  class  of  persons  perhaps,  Avho 
have  greater  enjoyment  than  seamen  Avhen  they  arrive 
in  port  after  a  long  and  boisterous  passage,  especially  if 
it  be  in  the  winter.  Indeed,  it  is  only  by  the  depriva- 
tion of  the  social  comforts  of  home,  with  its  additional 


hrtwalfcaM'iaBfc.ate 


"liinniiii^iiiiM.'  ^v-  -^ 


■^  I  -'Pill 


LIFE   ON   THE   OCEAN. 


S65 


tide  of  380  32' N, 
ue  harbour  where 
security,  it  being 

is  very  narrow, 
pping,  as  refresh- 
buiidanco  and  at 
ship  with  a  com- 
i  with  fresh  fish 
d  fruit,  especially 
ities.    The  grapes 

that  1  have  seen 

It  this  period  con- 
its.  The  trade  is 
t  but  salt.  Busi- 
it  degree  in  this 
'  eclipsed  by  Lis- 
istant  from  it. 
rdly,  and  on  the 
of  Madeira,  bear- 
m  this  period  we 
le  parallel  of  27° 

the  trade  winds, 
B  steered  away  to 
r,  the  trade  winds 
luitil  Ave  had  run 
lip  to  the  north- 
ind  on  reaching 
severe  north-west 
th  the  light  trade 

was  61  days  be- 
y,  which  was  on 
was  not  until  the 
ing  a  passage  of 
)ns  perhaps,  who 
vhen  they  arrive 
lage,  especially  if 
r  by  the  dep.riva- 
ith  its  additional 


blessings,  that  they  can  bo  properly  realized  and  enjoyed. 
VVho  then  is  so  well  calculated  as  the  seaman  to  unpre- 
ciate  those  attractions,  deprived  as  ho  is  for  the  inost 
part  of  that  which  makes  life  agreeable  ;  confined  to  the 
narrow  limus  of  a  ship's  dock,  and  obliged  to  breathe  the 
air  ol  a  forecastle  ;  at  the  same  Ume  his  living  is  gene- 
rally of  the  coarsest  kind,  and  his  associations  bounded 
by  the  few  who  belong  to  the  ship.    I  say,  with  all 
tliese  discomforts  it  is  not  to  be  wondered  at,  that  a 
sailor  is  the  happiest  man  on  earth  when  he  comes  on 
shore.     It  is  very  certain  that  many  sailors  circumscribe 
their  enjoyments  to  acts  of  the  most  disgraceful  charac- 
ter; there  are    however,  strong  and  cogent  reasons  for 
this  conduct.     In  the  first  place  they  are  generally  con- 
sidered an  isolated  class  of  beings-society  will  not  re- 
ceive or  take  them  by  the  hand,  and,  therefore,  they  be- 
come duiies  to  designing  men,  whose  interest  it  is,  if 
possible,  to  keep  their  senses  blunted,  in  order  to  filch 
horn  them  their  hard  earnings,  and  by  their  constant   " 
application  to  the  intoxicating  bowl,  with  other  scenes 
ot  deb.      ^ery  attendant  upon  this  indulgence,  they  are 
thereby,  t..     A  among  the  lowest  and  most  wretched 
ranks  oi  society.    I  have  known  a  sailor  to  be  caught  in 
the  trap  of  one  of  those  designing  knaves,  when  he  first 
came  on  shore,  with  a  good  chest  of  clothes  and  a  hun- 
dred dollars  m  his  pocket,  to  be  kept  nearly  senseless 
w  th  rum  for  three  weeks,  and  at  the  expiration  of 
which  his  money  as  well  as  his  clothes  were  aU  gone 
and  the  poor  unfortunate  fellow  was  obliged  to  shin  • 
and  to  make  up  the  catalogue  of  his  miseries? the  month's 
adj^ce  was  taken  by  his  landlord,  and  then  he  was 
aragged  like  a  dog  or  an  ox  on  board  in  a  state  of  in- 
sensibility ;  and  it  often  happens  that  they  are  five  or 
SIX  days  at  sea,  before  they  come  to  a  state  of  perfect 
consciousness   when  for  the  first  time  they  leafn  the 
name  of  the  ship  and  captain,  and  whither  she  is  bound. 
Unce  more  I  was  surrounded  by  the  tan)ily  with 
wnom  I  had  resided  previously  to  my  embarkation  on 
the  voyage  just  detailed.     With  what  emotions  of  plea- 


'fi 


266 


LIFE   ON   TIIR   OCEAN. 


I  iiilv'i 


sure  docs  tliG  youthful  heart  vibrato, cspcrially  that  of  a 
sailor,  when  lovo  nnd  frioudship  nio  reciprocal.  Toils  and 
privations  are  forgotton — and  wlicn  dwelling  on  the  rap- 
turous present,  he  looks  l()rward  with  unclouded  vision 
for  happiness  to  he  enjoyed  in  the  future.  'J'lio  light 
and  buoyant  spirit  ever  animated  by  the  liiir  side  of 
hope,  contemplates  this  round  world  as  one  vast  thea- 
tre of  bliss,  on  whicn  there  are  countless  resources  of 
felicity  within  its  grasp:  the  car  of  prosperity,  too,  rolls 
along  unimpeded  nor  once  dreams  of  change.  Hap- 
pily the  morning  and  spring  time  of  life  dwells  with 
leryont  ardour  upon  the  brighter  and  gayor  scones, 
which  nature  hath  bountifully  prepared  f()r  its  enjoy- 
ment; for  soon,  alas!  docs  tho  blighting  mildews  of 
wintof  roll  along  witkits  roncomilant  attendants — pain, 
affliction  and  woo,  irresistibly  reminding  us  that  "all  is 
vajiity  here  below." 

Three  weeks  had  now  passed  away  almost  luiobserv- 
ed  since  I  came  on  sboie,  and  each  successive  day  I 
found  a  stronger  interest  gathering  around  me  for  this 
family,  and  those  feelings  which  1  had  striven  to  drive 
from  my  mind  on  tho  last  voyage  in  leference  to  one 

S articular  branch  of  it,  I  not  only  now  found  had  taken 
eepor  root,  but  also  conceived  it  necessary  to  make  an 
open  confession  of  my  attachment.  To  my  great  do- 
hght,  I  learned  that  tho  attachment  was  mutual ;  satis- 
fied with  this  explanation,  and  having  bound  myself  by 
an  obligation  which  could  bo  severed  only  by  death,  I 
felt  it  necessary  to  use  every  exertion  to  reach  the  head 
of  my  profession. 

I  was  poor,  as  it  may  well  be  supposed,  having  lost 
every  thing  during  the  war,  and  as  two  years  only  had 
transi>ired  since  that  period,  of  course  it  may  well  be 
conceived,  that  I  had  not  accumulated  any  great  amount 
of  wealth  ;  besides  I  had  resolved  never  to  unite  myself  to 
a  lady  unless  I  could  at  least  render  her  pecuniary  situa- 
tion quite  as  advantageous  as  it  was  with  her  relatives. 
With  these  views  then  it  did  not  seem  likely  that  a 
union  could  take  place  in  less  than  two  years. 


filiMiiiiiitm  ror'i--f'-  i'-r '-  '^ IT' '  ■ 


pfirinlly  llint  of  a 
)rorul.  Toils  ami 
•llingon  thurap- 
mrloiulocl  vision 
turo.    Tlio  light 
the  liiir  side  of 
ns  Olio  vast  thca- 
llcsR  resources  of 
isperity,  too,  rolls 
f  djaiigc.     Hap- 
lilb  dvvells  with 
d   gayer  scenes, 
ed  li)r  its  cnjoy- 
itinj?  niiMews  of 
[ittmidants— pain, 
ng  us  that  "all  is 

ahnost  unobserv- 

succcssivc  day  I 

round  nic  for  tnis 

id  striven  to  drive 

reference  to  one 

found  had  taken 

ssnry  to  make  an 

To  my  great  do- 

as  mutual ;  satis- 

)ound  myself  by 

only  by  death,  I 

to  reach  the  head 

)osed,  having  lost 
ro  years  only  had 
a  it  may  well  be 
any  great  amount 
to  unite  myself  to 
r  pecuniary  situa- 
vith  her  relatives, 
sem  likely  that  a 
0  yeais. 


LIFE   ON   THE   OCEAN. 


267 


About    this  time  application  was  niado  to  me  by  the 

name  owners,  to  go  out  as  mate  of  tlu;  Urig  < ) ,  Copt. 

U.  bound  to  the  West  Indies,  with  an  assurance  tluU 
on  oiu-  relurn  1  should  liave  a  berth  on  board  of  an 
Kast  Indiainan.  Now  as  tbti  voyage  was  short,  and  as 
1  did  not  wish  to  Iosd  tiiuo  lor  the  reasons  betbre  men- 
tioned, I  readily  onibrared  the  oiler. 

In  a  few  days  the  brig  was  ready  for  son,  and  as  my 
private  matters  were  arranged  salisliictorily,  I  bade  all 
my  friends  ailiou,  and  embiuked  on  the  llth  of  March, 
1HI7.  The  crew  being  all  on  board  and  the  wind  lair, 
thout,'li  light,  we  cast  olf  from  the  wharf,  made  sail  and 
stood  down  the  river.  Wo  had  not  proccMjdcid  far  when 
the  wind  came  ahead  and  we  were  obliged  to  beat. 
Our  rraft  was  a  clipp<!r  of  the  first  stump,  very  sharp 
and  heavily  rigged,  consequenlly  her  best  sailing  was 
upon  a  wind.  Capt.  (.'.  was  what  sailors  sometimes 
call,  "an  odd  kind  of  a  christian."  The  predominant 
trait  In  his  character  was  indolence,  consoipiently  it 
may  be  supposed  he  was  not  much  of  a  diseipHnarian, 
and  yet  when  roused  (and  th's  could  only  be  done  by 
some  flagrant  act  of  disobedience)  he  was  a  perfect  lion. 
Usually,  however,  ho  was  good  teiji|)ercd,  mild  and 
easy,  constantly  depending  on  his  ollicers  to  carry  on 
the  details  of  the  vessel.  The  crew  consisted  of  ten 
men  and  a  boy,  all  told.  We  continued  to  beat  down 
with  a  wind  fresh  from  the  southward,  and  came  to 
an  anchor  at  8  p.  m.  in  the  oukt  roads  of  Annapolis. 
Voyages  to  the  West  Indies  Oi^  'uarily  do  not  elicit 
much  interest,  and  I  did  not  intend  n  fatigue  the  reader 
with  a  detailed  account  of  this  one,  (  nly  for  the  reason 
that  there  were  circumstances  conueci-sd  with  it  which 
to  many  may  savour  strongly  of  superstition ;  neverthe- 
less, they  did  transpire,  and  to  me  wore  perfectly  unac- 
countable. Take  the  following  as  one  among  the  more 
prominent. 

I  stated  that  the  brig  was  anchored  in  the  outer  roads 
of  Annapolis,  distant  one  and  a  half  miles  from  the 
nearest  shore ;  the  two  boats  (all  that  belonged  to  the 


•' — ■'-'^^mum^mtimmiii^ 


m 


LIFE   ON  THE   OCEAN. 


brig)  were  stowed  on  deck,  the  night  was  moonlight, 
perfectly  clear  and  cloudless.  I  mention  these  circum- 
stances because  the  truth  of  the  following  nai'ration 
depends  in  some  degree  upon  them.  At  8  p.  m.  the 
anchor  watch  was  set,  and  after  the  usual  orders  were 
given  by  the  pilot,  we  all  turned  in.  About  midnight  I 
was  aroused  from  a  sound  sleep,  by  hearing  a  voice 
calling  upon  Capt.  C.  to  come  immediately  on  deck.  It 
proceeded  from  the  sailor  who  had  the  watch.  A  second 
call  was  given  more  earnestly  than  the  first,  begging 
CJapt.  C.  tor  God's  sake  to  come  on  deck,  as  there  was 
a  woman  dressed  in  black,  who  had  inquired  for  him. 
Believing  the  sailor  to  be  half  drunk — as  was  generally 
the  case  at  that  period  when  vessels  left  port — I  drove 
him  away,  but  he  persisted  in  his  importunities  for 
Capt.  C.  to  make  his  appearance.  By  this  time  we  all 
roused  up  and  proceeded  011°  deck,  the  sailor  pointing 
out  the  place  where  he  had  seen  and  talked  with  the 
woman.  After  the  most  diligent  search,  however,  no 
sign  or  trace  of  the  supernatural  being  was  found,  and 
bestowing  a  severe  reprimand  on  the  seaman,  we  once 
more  turned  into  our  berths.  About  2  a.  m.  we  were 
again  roused  by  another  sailor  for  the  same  purpose; 
this  was  a  perfectly  sober  man,  a  resident  of  Baltimore, 
with  a  family.  He  gave  us  the  same  account  as  the  for- 
mer, said  he  could  not  be  mistaken,  for  he  saw  the 
vjpman  plainly  and  heard  her  inquire  for  Capt.  C.  The 
crew  being  now  all  huddled  together  on  the  forecas- 
tle, corroborated  his  testimony.  The  most  scrutinizing 
search  was  again  made,  but  without  effoct.  There 
could  be  no  deception  practised  on  us  by  the  seanien, 
because  the  boats  were  on  deck  in  their  places,  and  the 
first  sailor  who  had  called  on  Capt.  C.  had  no  inter- 
course previously  with  the  remainder  of  the  crew.  I 
was  determined  to  know  if  there  were  any  grounds  for 
the  truth  of  this  alarming  sight  to  the  seamen  j  so  ^ 
walked  the  deck  during  the  remainder  of  the  night  but 
saw  nothing.  The  next  morning  the  wind  came  Mr, 
and  we  commenced  to  get  under  way,  but  the  sailors 


l*ij 


,„.^, 


m' 


■  I  tiittaiif  w-i»'  *!■ Wiift.  iii„. 


LIFE   ON  THE   OCEAN. 


269 


was  moonlight, 
1  these  circum- 
wing  narration 
At  8  p.  M.  the 
ual  orders  were 
)out  midnight  I 
learing  a  voice 
)ly  on  deck.    It 
Itch.     A  second 
e  first,  begging 
;k,  as  there  was 
iqnired  for  him. 
s  was  generally 
t  port — I  drove 
iiportunities   for 
this  time  we  all 
sailor  pointing 
talked  with  the 
h,  however,  no 
was  found,  and 
3araan,  we  once 
A.  M.  we  were 
same  purpose; 
It  of  Baltimore, 
ount  as  the  for- 
he  saw  the 
Capt.  C.    The 
on  the  forecas- 
ost  scrutinizing 
effoct.    There 
by  the  seamen, 
ilaces,  and  the 
had  no  inter- 
the  crew.    I 
iny  grounds  for 
seamen ;  so  I 
the  night  but 
vind  came  &ir, 
but  the  sailors 


came  aft  in  a  body  and  begged  Capt.  C.  to  give  them 
their  discharge,  that  they  would  give  hack  their  month's 
advance  and  their  clothes  and  bedding  to  boot ;  stating 
that  they  could  not  go  out  in  the  vessel  as  they  well 
knew  that  she  would  never  get  back  again.  This  was 
ridiculed  by  Capt.  C.  and  they  became  very  importu- 
nate in  their  demand.  The  naturally  easy  temper  of 
tlie  skipper  became  much  roused,  and,  as  Jack  saw,  (to 
use  an  old  saying)  "if  you  tread  on  a  worm  he  will 
turn,"  that  he  was  not  to  be  played  with,  they  waiked 
sullenly  forward,  manned  the  windlass,  hove  up  the 
anchor,  and  in  a  few  minutes  the  brig  was  under  a 
cloud  of  canvas,  standing  down  tiie  Chesapeake  Bay. 
We  had  a  fine  run  down,  discharged  the  pilot  on  the 
13th  of  March,  and  stood  to  sea. 

The  second  day  after  leaving  the  land,  it  blowing 
fresh  and  being  in  the  gulf  stream,  the  brig  became  very 
laboursome,  straining  so  much  that  we  were  obliged  to  • 
keep  one  pump  constantly  going ;  before  night  the  top- 
gallantmasts,  yards,  rigging,  &c.  were  all  sent  down 
on  deck  and  secured.  It  blew  a  strong  gale,  and  every 
sail  was  furled  except  the  main  and  lore-topmast  stay- 
sails. At  6  p.  M.  the  rain  fell  in  lonents,  and  heavy 
black  clouds  rolled  up  from  iIks  north-west,  with  fre- 
quent claps  of  thunder  and  sharp  flashes  of  lightning. 
Between  the  hours  of  6  and  8  in  the  last  dog-watch,  the 
sujiernatural  being  again  appeared  to  the  two  men  who 
first  saw  her  while  at  anclior,  they  now  having  the 
watch  on  deck  a'.id  the  look-out  forward.  I  had  charge 
of  the  watch  myself  at  this  time,  but  as  the  night  was 
intensely  dark  nothing  could  be  seen  except  at  intervals 
by  the  flashes  of  lightning ;  so  that  it  was  not  surpris- 
ing as  I  was  standing  afl;,  that  I  did  not  see  this 
unearthly  figure.  It  was  however,  a  source  of  the 
greatest  alarm,  and  I  could  perceive,  notwithstanding 
Captain  C.  aflfected  great  unconcern,  he  nevertheless 
could  not  sleep  any  more  than  the  crew.  The  gale 
increased  and  the  sea  rose  to  a  tremendous  height,  we 
expected  every  moment  fix)m  the  appearance  of  the 


^ .lipM^^vlllJUluiin^p^,— ,. ^^^,^^^^    lllipiMBi 


270 


LIFE   ON  THE    OCEAN. 


weather  a  shift  of  the  wind.  At  midnight  precisely 
the  solemn  visitor  was  again  seen  on  the  forecastle,  but 
as  before,  neither  Captain  C.  nor  myself  were  permitted 
to  behold  it.  In  about  twenty  minutes  after  this  appear- 
ance, the  wind  shifted  suddenly  to  the  north-west,  ^nd 
Jt  blew  a  perfect  tornado.  The  brig  was  thrown  nearly 
on-  her  beam  ends.  Being  presFed  by  the  two  staysails, 
the  axes  were  got  in  readiness  to  cut  away  the  mast, 
but  before  this  was  executed,  the  staysail  sheets  gave  way 
and  the  ->iolence  of  the  wind  blew  the  sails  away  from 
the  bolt-ropes.  The  brig  being  now  relieved  from  the 
pressure  of  canvas,  righted  so  far  as  to  feel  the  action  of 
the  helm,  which  she  (juickly  answered,  and  after  a  few 
rolhng  seas  had  Avashed  over  the  quarter,  she  rounded  otf 
belore  the  wind,  and  in  a  lev/  minutes  she  was  scud- 
duig  at  the  rate  of  eleven  knots.  In  tliis  disaster  we 
lost  all  of  our  spars,  boats  and  caboose  house;  fortunately 
the  caboose  being  well  secured  to  the, deck  was  saved, 
and  no  lives  were  lost.  The  violence  of  the  gale  was 
such  that  in  about  two  hours  the  heavy  south-east  swell 
went  down,  and  the  brig  scudded  with  great  security. 
The  heavy,  dense,  black  masses  of  ciuuds  were  driven 
off  by  the  violence  of  the  gale,  and  settled  away  to  thr 
south-east,  and  at  4  p.  m.  the  sky  Avas  perfectly  clear ; 
the  moon  shone  brightly,  and  the  sea  became  following 
and  regular,  presenting  a  very  different  scene  from  that 
which  was  exhibited  at  midnight. 

Once  more  the  crew  became  comparatively  cheerful, 
and  Avhen  the  morning  light  broke  forth,  the  gale  had 
moderated.  Double  reef  topsails  were  set,  and  we  steered 
away  to  the  southward. 

Nothing  material  transpired  during  the  remainder  of 
the  passage.  The  weather  was  unusually  fine,  and  yet 
by  no  threat  or  importunity  could  any  sailor  be  induced 
to  go  aloft  alone  in  the  night ;  in  fact  it  was  the  univer- 
sal opinion  of  the  crew  that  the  brig  was  haunted,  and 
of  course  it  was  a  theme  of  controversy  during  the 
passage.  I  recollect  one  night  while  crossing  the  trade 
winds,  having  the  middle  watch  on  deck,  that  I  over- 


trt^MMllilWMHWlMil 


Bite«IK'r»(IUK.«luAtt.-:^Wi .' 


wAJM'**'*-^'-^-^' ' 


m 


■I 


I  night  precisely 
le  forecastle,  but 
f  were  permitted 
ifter  this  appear- 
north-west,  ^nd 
IS  thrown  nearly 
he  two  staysails, 
t  away  the  mast, 
sheets  gave  Avay 
I  sails  away  from 
relieved  from  the 
feel  thf  action  of 
1,  and  after  a  few 
•,  she  rouuded  otf 
s  she  was  scud- 
tliis  disaster  we 
)use.;  fortunately 
^deck  was  saved, 
3  of  the  gale  was 
r  south-east  swell 
:h  great  security, 
puds  were  driven 
ittled  away  to  the 
i.  perfectly  clear; 
jecame  following 
t  scene  from  that 

iratively  cheerful, 
rth,  the  gale  had 
3t,  and  we  steered 

the  remainder  of 
ally  fine,  and  yet 
sailor  be  induced 
t  was  the  univer- 
vas  haunted,  and 
ersy  during  the 
irossing  the  trade 
eck,  that  I  over- 


UPE    ON   THE    OCEAN. 


2T1 


heard  the  following  dialogue  by  two  seamen  on  the 
main  deck.  "Bill,"  said  an  old  salt  to  another  that 
happened  to  be  the  same  whc  first  saw  our  lady  visitor. 
"Did  you  look  at  the  old  man's  phyzog  that  morning 
when  we  went  aft  to  get  our  discharge."  "Yes,"  said 
Bill,  "and  it  looked  for  all  the  world  as  if  he  had  been 
frightened  out  of  his  seventeen  senses.  I'd  like,"  con- 
tinued he,  "to  be  out  of  this  craft,  and  I'll  tell  you  what, 
by  the  way,  she's  a  little  too  small  to  carry  me  back,  if 
ever  these  pins  get  foot-hold  of  shore."  "I'll  bet  a 
month's  wages,"  returned  the  other,  "that  this  craft  or 
our  long  slink  of  a  skipper  don't  reach  yankee  land 
again."  "Avast  there !"  said  Bill,  "belay  that  slack 
rope,  look  over  the  side  here,  and  you  Avont  s>^e  a 
bubble,  and  yet  site's  going  seven  knots  by  the  log, 
and  there's  not  wind  enougli  to  fill  an  old  woman's 
night-cap.  I  say,  messmate,  you'll  not  have  enough 
coming  to  yon  for  a  single  cruise,  for  you  know  we've 
had  one  month's  advance,  and  at  this  rate  of  going  Ave 
shall  get  back — "  Here  he  stopped  short,  and  then  as  if 
the  supernatural  appearance  was  before  him,  resumed 
in  a  serious  tone,  "that  is  messmate,  if  ever  she  does 
get  back."  The  conversation  was  then  carried  on  in  a 
lower  and  more  serious  tone.  "That  was  u  sad  night," 
continued  Bill,  "when  this  craft  like  to  have  turned  the 
turtle  with  us."  "I  jist  thought  as  much  in  the  first 
dog-watch,"  said  the  other,  "so  you  know  as  it  was 
my  first  bunk  beloW;  and  think's  I  to  myself,  if  we've 
got  to  go  to  kingdom  come,  H'h  no  time  for  Sam 
Jenkins  to  be  catched  napping."  '/  ,va&  much  of  the 
same  way  of  thimiing,"  Kaid  Bill, '  and  so  we  kept  the 
deck  together  or  we  might  have  had  i\  bit  of  a  hoist  cut 
of  our  bunks.  But  some  how  or  other  I  don't  much 
like  that  old  skipper  of  ours,  and  I'm  thinkiag  if  he  was 
out  of  this  craft,  we  shouldij  .  ■  ave  any  more  visits  from 
that  lady  in  black.-'  "She  is  a  unlucky  craft  any  how," 
said  the  other,  "there  was  poor  Ben  BiUings  fell  from 
iier  topmast-head  longside  of  the  wharf,  and  never 
spoke  a  word  afterwards — and  then  I  heard  old  Swipes, 


•I 


i<iitrfui*lliliiil»  II  iiiiiiiMi  iiniiMlr'Mnili  ilini  hi 


272 


LIFE   ON  THE   OCEAN. 


1 1 1  fS  1 


y.iii'1' 


ii  t 


our  cook  say  the  other  day,  that  dhe  lost  both  of  her  top- 
masts the  fir^t  voyage." 

These  and  similar  conversations  were  continued  for  a 
time,  and  in  conclusion  th*^y  concerted  a  plan  to  effect 
their  escape  when  we  should  arrive  in  the  West  Indies. 

We  had  a  short  run  out  and  arrived  safely  in  the 
island  of  Martinique.  Here  we  purchased  a  large  boat 
and  some  spars  of  a  French  ship ;  but  as  we  did  not 
find  a  sale  for  the  cargo,  we  proceeded  without  delay  to 
the  island  of  Guadaloupe,  wiiere  we  arrived  in  about 
thirty-six  hoiu's,  and  anchored  in  the  bay  of  Point 
Petre.  The  cargo  was  immediately  sold  and  discharg- 
ed, and  we  commenced  taking  in  a  return  oargo  of 
sugars.  It  is  well  known  that  Point  Petre,  is  one  of 
the  most  unhealthy  ports  in  the  West  Indies  ;  it  is 
almost  entirely  land-locked,  and  is  situated  on  the  lee- 
ward part  of  the  island,  consequently  it  has  none  of  the 
exhilirating  iniluence  of  the  wholesome  sea  breezes 
which  blow  perpetually  in  these  latitudes.  The  yellow 
fever,  cholera  morbus  and  dysentery,  prevailed  to  an 
alarming  degree,  and  therefore  our  men  were  d^*erred 
from  putting  their  previous  plans  of  desertion  in;  i  c:  jcu- 
tion. 

The  brig  was  now  about  half  loaded,  and  as  yet  the 
epidemic  had  not  visited  us,  but  the  mortality  was  great 
among  the  shipping  in  the  harbour,  and  it  was  not 
unusual  to  see  two  or  more  corpses  carried  on  shore 
every  morning.  At  length,  however,  the  fatal  disease 
made  its  appearance  among  our  crew,  in  connection 
with  the  dreaded  reappearance  of  our  supernatural 
visitor.  It  was  reported  by  two  of  the  crew,  that  on 
the  night  previously  to  the  fatal  malady  having  gotten 
among  us,  that  she  was  again  seen  on  the  forecastle. 
There  were  six,  myself  being  one  of  the  number,  that 
were  seized  with  yellow  fever  and  cholera  morbus. 
The  fever  raged  with  great  violence,  and  three  of  our 
men  werj  confined  ten  or  twelve  days,  to  one  of  whom 
it  proved  fetal ;  the  rest,  myself  being  one,  were  soon 
relieved. 


( 
1 
r 
s 
s 
c 
c 
6 
d 

St 


w 


;  both  of  her  top* 

3  continued  for  a 
1  a  plan  to  effect 
the  West  Indies. 
red  safely  in  the 
ised  a  large  boat 
ut  as  we  did  not 

withoiit  delay  to 
arrived  in  about 
le  bay  of  Point 
old  and  discharg- 

returc  v-argo  of 
t  Petre,  is  one  of 
est  Indies ;  it  is 
tuatedon  the  lee- 
it  has  none  of  the 
onae  sea  breezes 
Jes.  The  yellow 
,  prevailed  to  an 
len  were  d'^^erred 
sertion  int  ">  ^r  3cu- 

^,  and  as  yet  the 
lortality  was  great 
and  it  was   not 
carried  on  shore 
the  fatal  disease 
Kv,  in  connection 
lour   supernatural 
le  crew,  that  on 
iy  having  gotten 
)n  the  forecastle, 
the  number,  that 
cholera  morbus, 
and  three  of  our 
;,  to  one  of  whom 
one,  were  soon 


CHAPTER  XXV. 

CONOLVSIOir    OF    TH£   WEST   INDIA   VOTAQE — SAIL    FOB    LONDOK, 
BATAVIA,  &C.  ,", 

Every  exertion  was  now  made  by  Coptain  C.  to  get 
clear  of  this  port,  for  it  might  well  be  called  a  vast 
charnel  house.  To  whatever  point  the  vision  was 
directed,  you  might  have  seen  the  sad  remains  of  some 
one  being  conveyed  to  the  silent  repository  of  the  dead, 
and  on  board  of  any  vessel  that  was  visited,  the  ear 
would  be  saluted  with  either  the  groans  of  the  dying, 
or  of  some  one  ravir?  under  the  scorching  fever. 

April  13. — This  mor/i'.^g  was  ushered  in  with  clear 
and  perfectly  calm  weather.  The  brig  being  now  ready 
for  sea,  it  became  necessary  to  tow  her  out  of  the 
harbour,  and  with  the  assistance  of  three  other  boats 
belonging  to  American  vessels,  we  succeeded  in  reach- 
ing the  offing  at  ten  a.  m.  I  can  safely  say  that  I 
never  felt  as  much  gratification  in  ray  life  on  leaving 
any  port,  as  I  did  on  this  occasion ;  this  feeling  ap- 
peared to  be  general  among  all  hands.  Indeed  the  fear 
and  dread  of  our  supernatural  visitor  seemed  to  give 
place  to  an  universal  sense  of  satisfaction  in  getting 
clear  of  Point  Petre,  and  once  more  inhaling  the  health- 
ful influence  of  the  sea  breeze.  The  cfew  were  gene- 
rally weak  and  much  debilitated,  and  it  was  neces- 
sary to  proceed  with  caution,  until  they  had  gained 
some  Si  .'ength  and  vigour  from  this  change  which  be- 
came more  and  more  visible  every  day.  We  had  a 
constant  succession  of  fair  winds,  consequently  had  a 
fine  run  up  to  the  coast,  and  as  neither  accident  nor 
disaster  beMl  us,  the  idea  of  our  visitor  appearing  again 
seemed  to  be  banished  firom  the  minds  ofthe  cre\7. 
24 


*».i"',y 


274 


LIFE    ON  THE   OCEAN. 


li  i$'Mi 


On  the  morning  of  the  26th  we  were  in  ten  fathoms 
water,  and  judged  ourselves  in  the  latitude  of  Cape 
Henry,  The  weather  being  .thick  and  exceedingly 
threatening  of  course  we  could  not  see  the  land.  At  9 
A.  M.  the  wind  shifted  suddenly  to  the  north-west,  and 
blew  a  gale,  insomuch  that  we  were  obliged  to  heave 
to  on  the  larboard  tack.  At  midnight  we  found  our- 
selves in  the  gulf  stream,  and  as  the  gale  did  not 
moderate  until  5  p.  m.  the  next  day,  the  cun-ent  had 
set  us  so  far  to  the  eastward,  that  we  did  not  get  into 
the  Chesapeake  Bay  until  the  2d  of  May.  In  this  gale 
the  fore-topsail,  jib  and  trysail  were  blown  from  the 
bolt-ropes  >  the  brig  had  become  strained  very  much 
with  her  heavy  cargo,  and  it  Avas  a  matter  of  no  small 
consolation  to  us  all  when  we  made  her  fast  to  the 
wharf  on  the  4th  o/  May. 

Thus  ended  one  of  the  most  unpleasant  and  at  the 
same  time  the  most  extraordinary  voyage,  that  I  ever 
made.  But  in  reference  to  the  voyage,  the  most  inex- 
plicable coincideiice,  yet  remains  to  be  related.  When 
we  sailed  from  Baltimore,  the  wife  of  Captain  C.  resided 
in  Nantucket ;  on  our  return  he  found  a  letter  awaiting 
him,  conveying  the  sorrowful  information  that  his  wife 
was  dead.  Comparing  the  period  of  her  demise  with 
that  of  the  first  appearance  of  the  lady  in  black,  while 
laying  in  Annapolis  Roads,  the  time  exactly  corres- 
ponded. With  these  relative  facts  then  I  shall  leave 
the  reader  to  form  his  own  opinion  as  to  the  possibility 
or  probability  of  supernatural  appearances. 

The  East  Indiaman  on  board  of  which  I  was  pro- 
mised a  first  officer's  berth,  I  found  on  my  arrival  was 
nearly  ready  for  sea ;  consequently  I  repaired  on  board 
and  assumed  the  duties  of  my  station.  She  was  to 
proceed  to  London  with  a  cargo  of  flour,  and  from 
thence  to  Batavia,  and  back  to  Amsterdam  as  the  poit 
of  discharge.  Having  very  little  time  to  spend  on 
shore,.!  need  not  say  that  every  spare  moment  was 
given  to  the  object,  which  had  the  largest  share  in  my 
affections.    It  was  at  this  period  that  our  mutual  vows 


■■;-iri*»rt<toffTit'Ti6fc<Mfl*'"''*i*>*''"" 


LIFE   ON  THE   OCEAN. 


275 


e  in  ten  fathoms 
latitude  of  Cape 
and  exceedingly 
le  the  land.    At  9 
e  north-west,  and 
obliged  to  heave 
ht  we  found  our- 
the  gale  did  not 
,  the  current  had 
:e  did  not  get  into 
day.    In  this  gale 
s  blown  from  the 
ained  very  much 
matter  of  no  small 
e  her  fast  to  the 

easant  and  at  the 

royage,  that  I  ever 

ge,  the  most  inex- 

be  related.    When 

Captain  C.  resided 

id  a  letter  awaiting 

ation  that  his  wife 

her  demise  with 

iy  in  black,  while 

ie  exactly  corres- 

:hen  1  shall  leave 

|s  to  the  possibility 

jces. 

[which  I  was  pro- 

n  my  arrival  was 

repaired  on  board 

ion.    She  was  to 

flour,  and  from 

;erdam  as  the  poit 

;ime  to  spend  on 

lare  moment  was 

■gest  share  in  my 

our  mutual  vows 


were  plighted,  but  as  in  my  judgment  it  was  neither 
expedient  or  proper  on  account  of  my  pecuniary  circum- 
stances to  consummate  the  nuptials,  our  union  was 
deferred  until  my  return. 

May  14,  1817. — The  ship  being  ready  for  sea  and  the 
crew  all  on  board,  we  cast  off  from  the  wharf,  made  all 
sail  with  a  fair  wind,  and  stood  down  the  river.  Every 
thing  with  which  I  was  now  surrounded  on  board  of 
this  ship,  indicated,  to  say  the  least  of  it,  as  pleasant  a 
voyage  and  as  much  happiness,  as  ordinarily  falls  to  the 
lot  0?  a  seafaring  life.  She  was  about  four  hundred 
tons  burthen,  considered  a  fast  sailer,  strong,  tight,  and 
completely  fitted  out  for  an  East  India  voyage.  Captain 
R.  was  somewhat  advanced  in  years,  an  educated  man, 
and  a  scientific  navigator;  in  a  word,  in  him  were  com- 
bined all  the  qualities  which  constitute  a  gentleman. 
The  crew  consisted  of  three  mates,  carpenter  and  sail- 
maker,  eight  able  seamen  and  four  boys,  with  a  cook 
and  st3ward,  amounting  to  twenty  in  number.  When 
proceeding  down  the  bay,  the  following  conversation 
took  place  between  Captain  R.  and  myself  in  the  cabin. 

"Mr.  L.,"  said  he,  "I  am  now  sixty  years  of  age,  and 
have  been  buffetting  salt  water  upwards  of  forty  years, 
and,  as  you  may  suppose,  I  am  not  able  to  undergo 
much  exposure  or  hardship ,  I  shall  therefore  implicitly 
confide  to  your  management  and  care  the  duties  and 
details  of  this  ship ;  with  this  sole  exception,  that  I 
expect  to  be  consulted  in  any  and  every  emergency  ; 
and  I  also  shall  direct  her  courses  during  the  voyage. 
I  shall  uphold  you  in  enforcing  good  discipline,  but  as 
long  experience,  and  consequently  much  intercourse 
with  seamen,  hath  taught  me  that  kind  "words  and 
good  usage  generally  make  a  valuable  crew,  I  expect 
therefore  you  will  observe  this  kind  of  treatment  to- 
wards them.  My  usual  custom  is,  to  give  watch  and 
watch,  and  allow  them  Saturday  to  wash  and  mend 
their  clothes,  to  cleanse  the  forecastle,  &c.  so  that  as 
fer  as  practicable,  the  Sabbath  may  be  observed  as  it 
ever  ought  to  be,  a  day  of  rest."    In  thirty-six  hours 


^.Miifeii 


UbMMkaMaiKll 


tmm 


376 


LIFE   ON  THE   OCEAN. 


we  reached  the  Capes  of  Virginia,  discharged  the  pilot 
and  went  to  sea  with  a  fine  westerly  wind. 

At  10  A.  M.  May  28th,  at  meridian,  Cape  Henry  bore 
west-north-west,  distant  four  leagues  ;  at  night  the 
watches  were  chosen  and  set  and  the  regulations  of  the 
ship  were  delivered  to  the  crew;  the  substance  of 
which  was  the  detailed  conversation  held  with  Captain 
R.  in  the  cabin.  Nothing  unusual  transpired  during 
the  first  part  of  this  passage  to  interrupt  the  usual 
monotony  of  a  sca-Jife,  I  had  the  satisfaction,  however, 
to  find  that  we  had  a  fine  crew  of  able  seamen,  and 
that  tho  officers  were  young  men  of  education,  with 
whom  I  was  on  terms  of  the  strictest  intimacy.  Up  to 
June  11th,  we  had  a  constant  succession  of  strong 
westerly  winds,  at  this  period,  however,  tlie  weather 
became  exceedingly  boisterous,  which  obliged  us  to 
scud  under  close  reefed  topsails.  An  occurrence  took 
place  this  day,  .Tune  I2tli,  which  shows  a  remarkable 
coincidence ;  viz.  At  meridian,  hea\-y  black  clouds 
arose  in  the  northern  board,  the  wind  being  at  this 
time  about  west-south-west,  blowing  a  heavy  gale,  and 
the  ship  was  under  close  reef  fure  and  maiurtopsails  and 
reefed  foresail,  when  it  suddenly  shifted  to  north  and 
blew  so  violently  that  before  we  could  get  our  sails  furled, 
the  topsails  were  torn  from  the  bolt-ropes.  Fortunately, 
however,  it  did  not  last  long  or  the  ship  must  have  run 
un<'er.  I  mention  this  as  a  coincidence,  because  in  the 
srjiKj  latitude  and  longitude  on  a  former  voyage  a 
tornado  of  the  same  character  was  experienced,  and  also 
6US  in  the  present  instance,  the  forc  and  main-topsails 
were  blown  away. 

In  twenty-five  days  from  the  Capes,  we  arrived  in 
the  British  channel,  and  no  power  of  description  can 
portray  an  adequate  idea  of  the  serenity  of  the  weather. 
As  far  as  the  eye  could  reach,  vessels  of  all  descriptions 
were  seen,  some  upon  a  wind,  others  before  the  wind, 
many  stretching  up  and  many  standing  down  the  chan- 
nel ;  but  more  especially  when  we  drew  up  loward  the 
"Fore  L^nds,"  it  was  a  matter  of  astonishment  to  behold 


-iiiirtll!— "■M*  • 


charged  the  pilot 
ind. 

Dape  Henry  bore 
)  ;    at  night  the 
regulations  of  the 
he   substance  of 
old  with  Captain 
transpired  during 
jrnipt  the  usual 
sfaction,  however, 
;kble  seamen,  and 
f  education,  with 
intimacy.     Up  to 
;ession  of  strong 
jver,  tlie  weather 
ch  obliged  us  to 
;  occurrence  took 
)ws  a  remarkable 
i\y   black  clouds 
ind  being  at  this 
a  heavy  gale,  and 
mainrtopsails  and 
fted  to  north  and 
[ct  our  sails  furled, 
,    Fortunately, 
must  have  run 
;e,  because  in  the 
rraer  voyage  a 
irienced,  and  also 
[and  main-topsails 

Bs,  we  arrived  in 
description  can 
of  the  weather. 

)f  all  descriptions 
before  the  wind, 
down  the  chan- 

^w  up  loward  the 

shmeut  to  behold 


LIVE   ON  THE   OCEAN. 


277 


the  number  and  variety  of  vessels  bound  to  I<ondon, 
the  greatest  emporium  of  commerce,  perhaps  in  the 
world. 

July  % — We  took  a  Dover  pilot,  and  had  a  fine  run 
up  to  Gravesend ;  here  as  usual  we  exchanged  him 
for  a  river  pilot.  These  men,  as  I  have  before  observed, 
are  probably  the  best  pilots  in  the  world,  perfectly  mas- 
tors  of  their  business;  they  assume  the  entire  responsi- 
bility, and  I  have  never  seen  a  ship  handled  in  a  more 
seaman-like  maimer  than  by  those  men. 

Jtdy  11.— We  entered  the  London  dock,  and  after  the 
customary  forma  of  entering  &c.  commenced  to  dis- 
charge the  cargo.  Nothing  worthy  of  note  or  comment 
transpired  until  the  cargo  was  entirely  discharged,  the 
ship  ballasted,  with  every  other  necessary  preparation 
for  an  India  passage.  It  was  about  this  time  that  we 
received  a  visit  from  the  Duke  of  Wellington,  the 
Marqais  of  Wellesley  and  lady,  and  R.  Patterson,  esq. 
and  lady,  the  latter  being  a  son  of  the  owner  of  the 
ship.  The  ladies  were  both  Americans,  and  daughters 
of  R.  Caton,  esq.  of  Baltimore.  I  mention  this  circum- 
stance to  show  that  there  was  nothing  strange  or  un- 
accountable in  the  visit  to  our  ship  by  these  persons  of 
distinction ;  nor  do  I  think  it  worth  while  to  give  a 
description  of  them,  as  it  would  be  foreign  to  the  general 
object  of  this  work.  Suffice  it  to  say,  that  the  utmost 
good  humour  and  sociability  prevailed  among  them ; 
and  when  about  to  leave,  in  addition,  to  distributing 
not  a  few  bank  notes  among  the  crew,  our  venerable 
captain  had  a  pressing  invitation  to  dine  with  the  noble 
duke. 

July  34. — The  specie  was  taken  on  board,  and  we 
hauled  out  of  dock,  made  sail  and  stood  down  the  river, 
with  a  Mr  wind.  26th — Discharged  the  pilot  off  Dovn: 
and  {HTOceeded  down  the  channel.  28th — ^The  Lizwd 
lights  bore  north-north-east,  five  leagues  distant,  finom 
whence  we  took  a  departure,  being  the  last  land  seen. 
29th — Once  more  we  were  upon  the  broad  ocean  "where 
sky  and  water  meet,"  under  a  press  of  sail;  with  a  fiur 
24» 


'•-■mtjui^>li^iit^iii/^\i»iitii^ 


,^(mi^imu^fMAiki\\\mmi*u\ 


•wI'l'ilE;' 


;;  ..;!!>;  !!!i!::  :;• 


LIFE    ON   THE    OCEAN. 

wind,  and  wh;it  ij  always  to  be  desired,  a  fine,  strong 
ship,  well  fittf.l  f  „(,,  with  a  good  crew,  ail  in  high  spirits. 
As  the  ship  is  now  fairly  at  sea,  I  shall  pause  to  relate 
a  circumstance  which  may  be  deemed  trivial,  but  its  re- 
sults to  me  have  been  of  the  most  momentous  kind  After 
the  regulations  and  discipline  of  the  ship  were  establish- 
ed on  our  (Itj)artuio  from  the  United  States,  for  the  first 
time  duriiiy  the  whole  period  of  my  sca-lile,  I  saw  a 
Bible,  whicli  had  been  put  on  board  by  some  agent  of 
the  Bible  Society,  lor  the  use  of  the  crew,  with  this  in- 
scription, viz.  "the  Word  of  God,  presented  by  the 
Bible  Society  for  the  use  of  the  officers  and  crew  of  the 
ship  William.  My  feelings  were  penetrated  with  a  deep 
sense  of  gialitude  for  this  little  otfering.  Ah !  thought 
1,  is  it  possible  that  men  who  have  no  interest  at  stake 
sliould  care  for  the  well-being,  and  I  may  say,  the  sal- 
vation of  ix)or,  neglected  seamen  ;  and  as  if  roused  from 
a  proibund  reverie,  all  tliose  religious  precepts  and  teach- 
ings, and  especially  those  wholesome  admonitions,  which 
were  so  caicfuUy  bestowed  on  me  by  my  relatives  in  the 
days  of  my  youth,  were  irresistibly  brought  up  to  my 
1  ocoUectiou  in  their  most  glowing  form  ;  and  then  memo- 
ry portrayed  with  the  strongest  colouring,  the  exposures, 
dangers  and  perils  of  the  past  peculiar  to  my  vocation. 
How  often  had  my  life  been  suspended  ujx)n  a  nine 
or  twelve  tliread  rattling,  how  often,  too,  when  on  the 
high  and  giddy  mast,  the  howhng  winds  proclaimed 
the  funeral  dirge  of  a  comjjanion,  whose  grasp  was 
severed  by  its  fury  and  he  swept  into  eternity;  and 
then  again  while  at  the  cannon's  mouth  the  enemy's 
deadly  shot  had  stricken  down  the  youthful  seamen, 
who  bade  fair  for  long  and  happy  life  ;  and  then,  too, 
the  heavy  roaring  surf  with  its  dashing  foam  swept 
with  unrelenting  fury  one  from  my  side,  who  was 
the  partner  of  my  toil;  and  then  again  the  constant 
exposure  upon  ths  fickle  element ;  a  seaman's  life  is 
always  bounded  between  lime  and  eternity  by  a  two 
and  a  half  or  three  inch  plank  ;  to  say  nothing  of  the 
hurricane  and  tornado,  the  merciless  pirate,  and  the 


'.K^  ^  «*t*.WiJaa»«»"i«pm 


i .(  ^  jt  » A  V 


red,  a  fine,  strong 
all  ill  high  spirits, 
ail  pause  to  relate 
trivial,  but  its  w- 
iitouslund     After 
lip  were  establish- 
itates,  for  the  first 
Y  sea-lile,  I  saw  a 
by  some  agent  of 
rew,  with  this  in- 
prcscutcd   by   tlie 
•s  and  crew  of  the 
trated  with  a  deep 
iig.     Ah!  thought 
i  interest  at  stake 
may  say,  the  sal- 
\  as  if  roused  from 
precepts  and  teach - 
dnionitiuns,wliich 
my  relatives  in  the 
brought  up  to  niy 
( ;  and  then  meino- 

g,  the  exposures, 
ar  to  my  vocation, 
ded  ujx)n  a  nine 

oo,  when  on  the 
winds  proclaimed 
whose  grasp  was 
rito  eternity,  and 
outh  the  enemy's 

youthful  seamen, 
and  then,  too, 
nmg  foam  swept 
side,  who  was 
gain  the  constant 
seaman's  lifiB  is 

ternity  by  a  two 
say  nothing  of  the 
pirate,  aud  the 


LIFE   ON   THE   OCEAN. 


279 


often  exposure  to  pestilential  climes.  These  and  many 
other  perils  passed  in  review  belijro  me,  yet  from  them 
all  thus  fur  I  had  been  delivered.  Overpowered  by 
these  reflections,  I  resolved  to  load  a  different  life,  and 
although  tin;  "Word  of  Uod"'  was  always  a  part  of  my 
sea  stf)ck,  yet  I  had  long  shamefully  neglected  its  pe- 
rusal. 

Offif" 


other 


\S  ith  many 
opinion,  thar.  severe 
best  moans  to  esUil 
ship,  but  my  views  ii 
to  waver.     I ii  consid' 
led  to  believe  that  the 
character  as  any  oth( 


TS. 


I  had  long  been  of  the 
it  and  hard  labor  were  the 
discipline  on  board  of  a 
ct,  however,  now  began 
.aracter  of  seamen,  I  was 
■lerally  men  of  as  much 
umber  uf  men  which  could  bo 
selcvted  on  shoro  with  the  f.amo  education ;  and  that 
their  peculiarities  and  habits  arose  principally  from  pri- 
vations and  their  seclusion  from  social  intercourse  with 
society  and  domestic  life.  There  is  also  another  feature 
in  reference  to  the  condition  of  seamen — that  is,  they 
are  unlike  any  other  class  of  labouring  men,  for  while 
a  working-inan  on  shore  receives  his  pay  daily  or 
weekly,  a  seaman  receives  the  whole  amount  of  his 
wages  in  one  sum  when  the  voyage  is  finished.  Natu- 
rally generous  and  improvident,  with  a  large  sum  of  mo- 
ney in  his  possession,  ho  soon  becomes  the  dupe  of  un- 
principled men,  (of  whom  there  are  numbers  ready  to  take 
advantage  of  his  unsuspicious  nature,)  and  he  is  speedily 
stripped  of  his  hard  earnings,  which  necessarily  cuts  short 
his  time  on  shore  and  obliges  him  to  renew  his  vocation 
at  sea. 

As  no  period  of  my  sojourn  upon  the  ocean  was  more 
favourable  for  impressing  upon  the  minds  of  seamen  the 
necessity  to  respect  their  own  moral  characters,  especially 
as  I  had  the  approbation  of  Capt.  R.  who,  as  I  before 
stated,  was  a  man  of  high  moral  worth,  I  resolved  to 
put  into  operation  what  I  had  contemplated  in  their 
behalf.  To  do  this,  great  caution  and  firmness  were 
necessary  to  maintain  the  discipline  of  the  ship.  In  the 
first  place  then,  I  pointed  out  to  them  the  uselessness 


■i^^ 


ti'milmtmin 


Hli»p^iH 


Lire   ON   THE   OCEAN. 


and  enormity  of  using  profuno  language.  This  was  the 
first  prohibition  inl  by  the  ofticers  rigidly  observing 
the  interdiction,  it  wus  not  long  before  this  miserable 
nractice  was  almost  entirely  baniNhed  from  the  ship. 
My  next  object  was  to  dissuade  them  from  the  per- 
nicious indulgence  of  drinking  grog.  "It  is  owing  to 
this,"  said  I,  "that  you  are  looked  U|)on  os  the  most  de- 
graded class  of  beings  in  society,  and  when  on  shoro 
you  are  excluded  from  all  the  pleasures  of  society  and 
the  endearments  of  domestic  life ;  yes,"  continued  I, 
"it  is  drinking  grog  that  places  you  on  a  level  with  the 
lowest  and  basest  of  our  s])ticies ;  it  is  drinking  grog 
which  filches  your  hard  earnings  from  y«>ur  pockets, 
and  while  your  senses  are  benumbed  with  this  worst  of 
poisons,  you  become  the  prey  of  sharpers  and  those 
who  smile  at  vou,  but  at  the  same  time  are  without 
remorse  inflicting  upon  you  the  greatest  injury ;  thus 
you  are  dispossessed  of  your  menus,  and  neccssarUy 
obliged,  with  but  little  intermission,  to  be  constan.ly 
upon  the  ocean  ;  so  that  by  (^Hjrsisting  in  the  evil  prac- 
tices of  drinking  and  carousing,  incotmection  with  your 
exposures  and  hardships  at  sea,  you  soon'  become  dis- 
eased. Look  around  you,  and  where  will  you  find  a 
sailor  advanced  in  years  ?  To  be  sure,  Capt.  R.  is  an 
aged  man,  but  then  it  has  been  fair  weather  with  him 
for  many  years,  there  are  nearly  twenty  of  us  belonging 
to  this  ship,  and  Jack  Saunders  is  the  oldest  man  (with 
the  exception  of  Capt.  11.)  and  he  has  scarcely  arrived 
to  the  age  of  forty.  Now  I  ask,  where  are  all  the  old 
sailors  ?  Why,  I  will  answer  that  question,  many  of  them 
go  to  Davy  Janes'  locker,  and  many  others,  who  for  the 
reasons  before  mentioned,  soon  contract  disease,  and  a 
premature  old  age  and  broken  down  constitution  is  the 
consequence,  and  then  they  are  laid  up  in  ordinary 
and  become  useless  hulks.  It  is  not  long,  however,  be- 
fore the  disease  which  has  been  induced  by  grog  and 
severe  exposure  proves  fatal,  and  then  poor  Jack,  per- 
haps friendless  and  unknown,  is  stowed  away  in  Potters' 
field." 
I  then  endeavoured  to  show  them  the  wortli  and 


UBipW^i. 


lage.    This  was  the 
s  rigidly  observing 
sfuro  this  tnisnrable 
hed  from  tho   ship, 
hem  from  tho  per- 
f.    "It  is  owing  to 
pon  OS  tlio  most  de- 
iiid  when  on  showj 
sures  of  society  and 
yes,"  continued  I, 
on  a  level  with  the 
it  is  drinking  grog 
!rom   your  pockets, 
1  with  this  worst  of 
sharpers  and   those 
0  time  are  without 
oatest  injury ;  thus 
s,  and   neccssarUy 
II,  to  be  constan:Iy 
ng  in  the  evil  prac- 
mnection  with  your 
a  soon' become  dis- 
ere  will  you  find  a 
ire,  Capt.  11.  is  an 
r  weather  with  Jiim 
ity  of  us  belonging 
e  oldest  man  (with 
las  scarcely  arrived 
here  are  all  the  old 
ition,  many  of  them 
others,  who  for  the 
tract  disease,  and  a 
constitution  is  the 
id  up  in  ordinary 
long,  however,  be> 
luced  by  grog  and 
len  poor  Jack,  per- 
ed  away  in  Potters' 

}m  the  worth  and 


m 


"'MgBeiMi8jtM,.va>jvwwAfg^ft'j-'yja!a%»Bss^t^ 


■'.:'-••    ":'■■: 


^ 


I- 


*^.t 


IMAGE  EVALUATION 
TEST  TARGET  (MT-3) 


1 

L2I  |u  11.6 

« 

^ 

6"     

► 

V 


v^^ 

A^.^^ 


CIHM/ICMH 

Microfiche 

Series. 


CIHIVl/ICIVIH 
Collection  de 
microfiches. 


Canadian  Institute  for  Historical  Microreproductions  /  Institut  Canadian  de  microreproductions  historiques 


f 


LIFE   ON  THE   OCEAN. 


981 


I'i.  1 


value  of  seamen,  as  being  the  great  connecting  link 
which  unites  nation  to  nation ;  and  without  whom  com- 
merce could  never  be  carried  on,  and  a  navy  which  is 
the  defence  and  bulwark  of  our  country,  could  never  be 
maintained.  Tliese  and  many  other  arguments  Avere 
used,  and  although  two  or  three  became  converts  to 
total  abstinence,  yet  the  others  conceived  the  disuse  of 
grog  to  be  sO  great  a  privation,  that  every  argument 
proved  ineffectual  to  induce  them  to  relinquish  it  alto- 
gether. At  this  period  it  was  the  universal  practice  to 
allow  sailors  a  glass  of  spirits  at  dinner,  and  generally  in 
cold  and  wet  weather  an  extra.  I  am  clearly  of  the  opin- 
ion that  many  of  the  difficulties  which  have  arisen  at  sea 
has  been  owing  to  this  custom,  for  there  has  been  more 
than  one  instance,  which  has  come  under  my  own 
experience,  where  sailors  have  saved  up  their  allow- 
ance of  spirits,  in  order  (to  use  their  own  expression)  to 
have  a  blow  out.  It  was  generally  the  case  on  those 
occasions  that  their  conduct  became  mutinous,  and 
very  serious  consequences  followed.  Among  our  crew 
there  was  a  fine  specimen  of  a  noble  and  true-hearted 
sailor;  Jack  Saunders  was  an  able  seaman,  a  first  rate 
sailmaker,  and  a  good  carpenter ;  he  was  always  the 
first  on  deck  in  his  watch,  and  no  man  was  ever  out  to 
the  weather-earring  before  him ;  he  was  one  of  those 
generous  hearted  souls,  who  would  never  fill  his  main- 
topsail  when  he  saw  a  shipmate  in  distress.  But  poor 
Jack  had  a  particular  fondness  for  a  glass  of  grog, 
although  he  was  as  steady  as  a  clock  at  sea,  for  the 
plain  reason  that  there  was  no  grog  to  be  had,  conse- 
quently it  could  not  be  otherwise.  I  conceived  a  strong 
desire  to  be  instrumental  to  change  this  man's  habits, 
and  placing  him  in  a  condition  to  which  he  was  entitled 
by  his  worth  and  merit.  It  seemed  therefore  to  be  ne- 
cessary first  to  gain  his  confidence  and  then  appeal  to 
his  moral  feelings.  It  was  not  difficult  to  surmount  the 
first  intention,  but  in  reference  to  the  second,  howevoij 
it  required  much  time  to  uproot  his  preconceived  notions ; 
still  I  was  certain  that  perseverance  could  even  effect 
this. 


:,ff 


m 


CHAPTER  XXVI. 


■■ 


r 


':: 


i: 


ti. 


ARRIVAL  AT  BATAVIA — RETURN  VOYAGE — SICKNESS  OF  CREW — 
PCX  IN  AT  CAFE  OF  QOOU  HOPE — PROFLlGACr  OF  SEAMEN  ON 
«HORE,  &C. 

And  now  to  return  to  the  ship.  Every  thing  seemed 
to' conspire  to  mak  this  voyage  pleasant  and  agreeable, 
the  wind  blew  fresh  and  fair,  and  we  sailed  along  the 
southern  coast  of  Europe  and  the  north-east  foast  of 
Africa,  passing  along  to  the  eastward  of  the  Cape  de 
Verd  Islands,  and  with  the  exception  of  two  days  of 
calms  and  heavy  rains  (of  which  we  took  advantage  to 
fill  up  all  our  water  casks)  we  had  a  strong  north-east 
trade  wind,  and  crossed  the  equinoctial  line  in  25° 
west  longitude,  in  twenty-eight  days  from  London. 
Without  any  cessation,  the  north-east  trades  gradually 
hauled  round  to  the  southward,  and  gave  us  a  fine  run 
across  the  south  Atlantic.  In  this  passage  we  saw  the 
island  of  Tristan  d'Acunha.  The  weather  here  became 
somewhat  boisterous  and  heavy,  and  continued  thus, 
until  we  reached  the  parallel  of  38°  south  latitude,  and 
34°  east  longitude,  then  the  wind  hauled  round  to  the 
westward  with  steady,  strong  gales,  and  as  we  had 
nearly  100°  of  east  longitude  to  run,  we  continued  to 
steer  in  this  parallel  of  latitude,  say  38°  south.  With 
few  exceptions,  there  was  hut  little  intermission  of  the 
westerly  gales  until  we  had  passed  the  parallel  of  the 
islands  of  St.  Paul  and  Amsterdam,  n" '  had  reached 
106°  east  longitude,  at  which  time  lauled  away 

to  the  northward,  and  after  expenej-  j  soms  light 
baffling  winds  and  squally  weacher,  we  succeeded  in 
gaining  the  limits  of  the  south  esf^t  trade  winds ;  of 
course  the  position  of  the  ship  was  such  asjo  make 


"^^aar* 


rUk'rti'iitMii'tmt' 


(iisMS^SB^'fl 


{^^i^a^mM^msm 


j«K*_  srj. 


UFK   ON  THE   OCEAN. 


283 


KNESS    OF    CREW — 
iCr   OF   SEAMEN   GIT 

ry  thing  seemed 
It  and  agreeable, 
sailed  along  the 
>rth-east  coast  of 
of  the  Cape  de 
of  two  days  of 
Dok  advantage  to 
strong  north-east 
tial  line  in  25° 
i  from  London, 
trades  gradually 
ive  us  a  fine  run 
sage  we  saw  the 
her  here  became 
continued  thus, 
uth  latitude,  and 
lied  round  to  the 
and  as  we  had 
.ve  continued  to 
S°  south.  With 
temiission  of  the 
le  parallel  of  the 
"^  had  reached 
lauled  away 
j  soms  light 
ve  succeeded  in 
trade  winds;  of 
luch  as  40  make 


these  winds  fair,  so  that  when  they  came  the  best  pos- 
sible use  was  made  of  ■them.  On  the  14th  of  October 
we  made  Java  Head,  bearing  east-south-east  20  miles. 
Entered  the  Straits  of  Sunda  at  10  a.  m.  and  after  a 
tedious  passage  of  four  days  anchored  in  Batavia  Roads, 
having  made  the  passage  in  eighty-four  days  from  Lon- 
don. 

Capt.  R.  proceeded  on  shore  and  gave  up  the  entire 
details  and  management  of  the  ship  to  me.  The  un- 
healthiness  of  Batavia  is  well  known,  and  it  is  necessary 
to  use  great  caution  in  order  to  p-eserve  the  health  of 
the  crew.  To  effect  this,  they  were  kept  as  much  cs 
possible  from  exposure  to  the  sun  and  night  air,  conse- 
quently they  were  never  permitted  to  go  on  shore  in 
the  boats  ;  a  crew  of  Malays  being  hired  for  the  purpose 
of  pulling  the  boat  off  and  on.  On  entering  this  port, 
we  immediately  spread  awnings  fore  and  aft  the  ship, 
and,  as  is  customary  on  India  voyages,  she  was  stripped 
to  her  girtlines  ;  the  rigging  was  all  overhauled,  together 
with  every  mast  and  spar.  This  being  done,  the  most 
favourable  opportunity  Avas  embraced,  (say  when  the 
sun  was  obscured,)  to  get  the  ship  rigged  again.  By 
observing  the  most  prudent  care  with  the  crew,  they 
continued  in  a  healthy  condition  while  we  remained  in 
port.  This  was  owing  principally  to  the  fact  of  our 
having  a  large  quantity  of  water  remaining  from  our 
London  stock,  and  which  was  used  by  the  crew  during 
the  whole  of  our  stay,  having  taken  ihe  precaution  at 
the  same  time  to  fill  up  our  water  casks  when  we  first 
arrived ;  so  that  by  tht  time  we  were  ready  for  sea  it 
became  purified  of  itself,  consequently  was  used  with- 
out the  usual  bad  efiects  of  Batavia  water.  Another 
precaution  was  also  taken  which  added  much  to  the 
health  of  our  men,  viz.  the  entire  disuse  of  ardent 
spirits,  and  the  substitution  of  coffee  in  its  place.  While 
the  yellow  fever  and  dysentery  raged,  prodticing  great 
mortality  among  the  crews  of  shipping  laying  in  port^ 
we  did  not  lose  a  man,  neither  was  there  any  of  the 
crew  off  duty  during  our  stay  here. 


•'■■x^'i'^&miUiAi.^ 


284 


LIFE   ON  THG   OCEAN. 


December  30. — We  had  now  finished  taking  in  our 
cargo  of  coffee,  and  the  shfp  being  all  ready  for  sea, 
Capt.  R.  came  on  board,  January  1st,  1818,  at  which 
time  we  got  under  way,  made  all  sail  and  stood  down 
the  straits.  This  being  the  season  when  the  little 
monsoon  changes,  the  passage  through  these  straits 
was  very  much  retarded  by  severe  squalls,  attended 
with  heavy  rains  and  frequent  calms.  The  heat  was 
almost  insufferable,  so  much  so  that  we  were  obliged 
firequently  to  anclior  in  order  to  keep  the  men  from 
being  exposed  to  the  intensity  of  the  sun's  rays ;  and 
incredible  as  it  may  appear,  nevertheless,  1  have  known 
Fahrenheit's  thermometer  to  range  from  100  to  K)5 
degrees  in  the  shade.  Nine  days  elapsed  before  we 
fj  got  clear  of  the  straits,  and  then  our  troubles  com- 

.  menced ;  eight  of  the  crew  were  attacked  with  fever 
and  dysentery,  and  the  remainder  of  us  were  much  de- 
bilitated and  weakened,  which  is  always  the  case  with 
northern  constitutions  by  long  exposure  to  the  heat  in 
tropical  climates.  Nor  did  I  escape  from  that  terrible 
malady,  the  dysentery,  which  reduced  me  nearly  to  the 
last  stage  of  Hfe  ;  and  although  eveiy  means  proved  in- 
effectual for  restoration  which  kiudness  and  medical 
treatment  could  suggest,  I  was  at  last  relieved  by  a  very 
simple  remedy,  proposed  by  the  generous  hearted  Jack 
Saunders,  before  memioned.  Thirty-seven  days  passed 
away  without  any  material  alteration  in  the  health  of 
the  crew,  and  it  became  necessary  for  the  safety  of  the 
ship  and  the  lives  of  our  men  to  put  in  to  some  port ; 
it  was  therefore  decided  by  Capt.  R.  to  go  into  Table 
Bay,  Cape  of  Good  Hope. 

On  the  8th  of  February,  1818,  the  carpenter,  who 
had  lingered  until  this  time  with  dysentery,  expired. 
This  circumstance  produced  universal  gloom  througn- 
■  out  the  ship,  particularly  as  there  were  seven  others, 
who  lay  at  the  point  of  death.  Fortunately,  however, 
for  us,  the  wind  was  fair,  and  on  the  13th  we  made  the 
Cape,  and  entered  Table  Bay  on  the  14th,  where  we 
anchored  in  twelve  fathoms  w.ater,  one  and  a  half  miles 
from  the  shore.  '    ■ 


irtbaa&!i^it**^'*'"aB»*fi**  MM'aw*-^ 


d  taking  in  our 
11  ready  for  sea, 

1818,  at  which 
and  stood  down 
nrhen  the  little 
;h  these  straits 
:;[ualls,  attended 

The  heat  was 
i^e  were  obliged 

the  men  from 
un's  rays;  and 
!,  1  have  known 
om  100  to  K)5 
psed  before  we 
r  troubles  com- 
;ked  with  fever 
were  much  de- 
fs  the  case  with 
•e  to  the  heat  in 
)m  that  terrible 
lie  nearly  to  the 
leans  proved  in- 
;s  and  medical 
lieved  by  a  very 
us  hearted  Jack 
ven  days  passed 
1  the  health  of 
he  safety  of  the 
n  to  some  port ; 

go  into  Table 

carpenter,  who 
entery,  expired, 
gloom  througn- 
)  seven  others, 
ately,  however, 
th  we  made  the 
I4th,  where  we 
Lnd  a  half  miles 


LIFE   OS  THE   OCEAN.  289 

It  may  be  remarked  that  vessels  can  only  ride  with 
safety  in  this  bay  during  the  summer  months,  which  cor- 
respond to  our  winter,  as  the  winds  usually  blow  from 
the  north-west  at  this  place  in  the  winter  season.  These 
winds  having  the  whole  sweep  of  the  south  Atlantic 
ocean,  cause  the  sea  to  run  so  heavily,  that  anchors 
and  cables  are  of  no  use  whatever.  In  these  months, 
vessels  harbour  in  False  Bay,  however,  even  in  the 
summer  months,  the  violence  of  the  south-east  winds 
is  so  great,  notwithstanding  they  blow  off  shore,  that 
vessels  are  obliged  to  ride  with  all  their  yards  and  top- 
masts struck  and  every  anchor  ahead. 

As  soon  as  we  got  our  ship  snug,  the  sick  were  all 
taken  on  shore,  placed  in  comfortable  quarters,  and  the 
best  treatment  and  medical  advice  were  procured  for 
them.  In  about  a  week  they  were  all  pronounced  to  be 
out  of  danger.  The  Cape  of  Good  Hope  no  doubt  may 
be  considered  as  wholesome  a  climate  as  any  part  of  the 
world.  As  Cape  Town  is  situated  on  a  considerable 
eminence,  and  the  adjacent  country  being  mountainous, 
consequently  the  air  is  very  pure,  and  the  atmosphere 
salubrious.  The  town  is  remarkable  for  its  cleanliness ; 
the  streets  are  wide,  and  although  the  buildings  are 
neither  large  nor  magnificent,  yet  they  immediately  im- 
press the  traveller  with  the  idea  of  neatness  and  comfort. 
At  the  precincts  of  the  town  on  the  eastern  part  is  situated 
the  company's  garden,  the  size  of  which  is  about  four 
square  miles,  and  constructed  in  the  most  tasteful  and 
fenciful  manner,  after  the  Chinese  style.  At  the  ex- 
treme end  of  these  gardens  is  a  menagerie  of  nearly  all 
descriptions  of  wild  animals  found  in  Asia  and  Africa ; 
the  most  singular  of  those  which  I  saw  was  an  ourang- 
outang,  measuring  six  feet  four  inches  in  height,  when 
erect  The  vineyards  are  large  and  flourishing;  the 
grape  is  cultivated  to  great  perfection,  from  which  is 
extracted  wines  in  great  abundance,  it  being  almost  the 
only  article  which  is  exported  from  the  Cape.  A  most 
singular  phenomenon  exists  respecting  these  vineyards, 
or  those  called  the  Constantia  vineyards — the  grape 
25 


§ 


LIFE    ON   THE   OCEAN. 

of  which  produces  a  very  rich  and  delicate  wine,  and 
are  only  two  in  number,— it  seems  that  no  other  spot 
(even  if  the  Constantia  vine  is  transplanted)  m  the 
Cape  colony  will  produce  the  Constantia  grape  and  yield 
therefrom  the  same  kind  of  wine.  It  has  been  ascer- 
tained that  by  transplanting  the  vine,  it  will  entirely 
degenerate  into  the  ordinary  kind  of  grape.  Retresh- 
raents  of  all  kinds  may  be  hud  here,  and  in  great  abun- 
dance, especially  beef  and  mutton ;  the  latter  may  be 
purchased  at  low  rates,  and  forms  the  principal  article 
of  live  stock  for  sliipping  ;  here,  too,i)erhaps  is  the  finest 
fresh  water  in  the  world.  All  these  advantages  con- 
sidered, it  must  be  cojiccded  that  this  port  is  among  the 
best  in  these  seas  for  homeward  bound  East  Indiamen 
to  refresh  and  renovate  a  relaxed  and  debilitated  crew. 
We  remained  here  eighteen  days,  at  the  expiration  of 
which  period   our  men  being  all  convalescent  were 

taken  on  board.  ,,      ,  •  i    j        u 

On  the  morning  of  the  5th  March,  weighed  anchor, 
made  all  sail  and  stood  to  sea  with  a  fine  south-east 
trade  wind.  Having  supplied  the  ship  with  plenty  of 
fresh  stock  and  vegetables,  and  the  weather  being  ex- 
ceedingly fine,  it  AVas  not  long  before  the  crew  were 
restored  to  their  usual  health  and  strength.  Having 
mentioned  in  a  previous  part  of  this  narrative  on  a 
former  voyage,  the  uninterrupted  steadiness  of  the  winds 
and  weather,  I  will  here  merely  state  that  for  twenty- 
five  successive  days  the  wind  continued  to  blow  steadily 
at  south-east,  so  that  we  carried  studding-s}^ils  on  both 
sides  during  the  whole  of  this  period,  and  crossed  the 
equinoctial  line  the  20th  day  from  the  Cape  m  22°  west 

longitude.  ,    ,    . 

'  Nothing  material  transpired  during -our  run  across 
the  north-east  trade  winds,  until  we  arrived  at  the  34° 
north  latitude,  and  then  had  the  winds  variable,  gene- 
rally from  the  westward,  until  we  reached  the  BntisU 
channel ;  where  we  took  a  strong  eagtwardly  gale,  which 
continued  to  blow  with  unremitting  violence  for  thir- 
teen  davs,  when  it  abated,  and  we  took  an  English  pilot 


licate  wine,  and 
lat  no  other  spot 
splanted)  in  the 
El  grape  and  yield 
;  has  been  ascer- 

it  will  entirely 
grape.  Refiresh- 
id  in  great  abun- 
he  latter  may  be 
I  principal  article 
rhaps  is  the  finest 

advantages  con- 
x>rt  is  among  the 
[  East  Indiamen 
debilitated  crew, 
the  expiration  of 
mvalescent  were 

weighed  anchor, 
a  fine  south-east 
ip  with  plenty  of 
I'cather  being  ex- 
e  the  crew  were 
trength.  Having 
s  narrative  on  a 
iness  of  the  winds 
that  for  twenty- 
id  to  blow  steadily 
iing-sFiils  on  both 
,  and  crossed  the 
Cape  in  22^  west 

j'our  run  across 
arrived  at  the  34° 
ds  variable,  gene- 
iched  the  Britisl;i 
vardly  gale,  which 
violence  forthir- 
i  an  English  pilot 


LIFE   ON   THE   OCEAN. 


287 


for  the  North  sea,  and  in  three  days  arrived  at  the  port 
of  Amsterdam.     , 

June  10,  1818.— We  immediately  commenced  dis- 
charging cargo,  which  was  completed  in  about  ten 
days,  and  ascertained  to  our  great  satisfaction  that  the 
ship  would  make  a  splendid  voyage  for  the  owners. 

This  being  the  port  of  discharge,  according  to  the 
articles  of  agreement,  the  crew  were  entitled  to  their 
discharge  and  wages  ;   they  all  agreed,  however,  to  go 
home  in  the  ship,  provided  they  could  have  a  wcek|s 
liberty  and  their  full  amount  of  wages.     Up  to   this 
period  they  had  conducted  with  great  propriety,  and 
perhaps  they  were  under  as  good  discipliiio  as  merchant 
vessels  generally  are  •,  and  as  I  felt  on  unusual  interest 
for  them  in  view  of  tlieir  good  conduct,  espdcially  for 
Jack  Saunders,  I  endeavoured  to  ptjrsuade  them  to  re- 
main on  board,  well  knowing  that  in  such  a  place  as 
the  Holder,  if  they  were  in  possession  of  their  wages, 
they  would  probably  get  rid  of  the  whole  before  we  left 
the  port.     My  persuasion,  proved  ineffectual  -,  they  per- 
sisted in  their  exactions,  aiid  of  course  there  was  no 
other  alternative,  but  to  pay  them  off  and  give  them 
their  desired  liberty.     It  fell  to  my  lot  to  be  paymaster. 
Each  one  of  them  had  from  one  hundred  and  twenty  to 
one  hundred  and  fifty  dollavs  due  him.     When  Jack 
Saunders'  turn  came,  I'  felt  particularly  anxious  to  retain 
one  hundred  dollars  of  his  money,  being  assured  if  he 
once  got  on  a  cruise  such  was  the  generosity  of  his 
nature,  that  he  would  be  quickly  relieved  of  his  store  of 
cash.     It  was  of  no  avail,  however,  and  off  they  all 
started  for  a  cruise.    This  was  about  11  o'clock.     The 
next  day,  I  perceived  poor  Jack  Saunders  about  half 
seas  over — rolling  down  the  dike  toward  the  ship.    It 
was  with  difficulty  he  got  alongside,  being  so  drunk ; 
and  with  the  help  of  the  cook  and  steward,  he  was 
hoisted  in  and  placed  in  his  berth,  where  he  slept  for 
nearly  eighteen  hours.   A  more  ludicrous  figure  I  never 
saw,  and  a  more  improvident  sailor  never  existed.     It 
seems,  immediately  after  he  was  paid  ofl'  he  repaired  to 


,.n 


>r<!Mt.***=i^.- 


iiiiiifii-^ 


388 


LIFE   ON  THE   OCEAN. 


the  shop  of  a  Jew,  and  purchased  a  complete  suit  from 
head  to  toot,  for  which  he  paid  a  most  exorbitant  price. 
The  hat  was  of  the  most  ordinary  kind,  and  the  clothes, 
as  a  sailor  would  say,  was  made  of  Nantucket  broad 
cloth,  viz.  three  threads  to  an  arm-full.    The  remaining 

?art  of  his  dress  was  nearly  of  the  same  description. 
:'o  crown  the  whole,  he  purchased  of  this  villamous 
Jew  a  pinchbeck  watch,  for  which  he  paid  twenty 
dollars  which  in  reality  was  not  worth  two.  To  this 
watch  was  attached  a  chain  about  a  foot  in  length  made 
of  coarse  black  hair,  at  the  end  of  v/hich  was  a  key,  not 
for  the  purpose  of  winding  the  watch,  but  actually  a 
door  key ;  and  as  a  finish  to  this  beautiful  collection 
of  symmetrical  proprlions,  connected  with  the  key  was 
a  large  rough  cornelian  stono,  which  served  as  a  seal. 
His  next  step  was,  to  biro  a  dance-house  exclusively 
for  himself,  ready  furnished  with  some  half  dozen  girls, 
two  fiddlers  and  a  bar-room  par  excellence.  The  re- 
mainder of  the  narration  1  received  from  poor  Jack.  It 
seems  that  after  carousing  the  whole  night,  he  was  not 
only  bamboozled  out  of  all  of  his  money,  but  in  the 
morning  he  was  very  unceremoniously  kicked  out  of 
doors.  Making  his  way  to  the  ship  as  well  as  he  could, 
he  fell  into  a  mud  puddle  and  lay  there,  until  he  was 
helped  out  of  the  difficulty  by  two  men,  who  placed 
him  on  the  dike  where  I  first  saw  him  bending  his 
way  towards  the  ship.  His  hat  was  much  crushed,  and 
as  a  sailor  would  say,  "was  full  of  cable  tier  pinches  -," 
his  clothes  were  mud  from  top  to  bottom,  and  not  hav- 
ing any  suspenders  on,  the  bite  of  his  shirt  stuck  out 
about  four  inches  between  the  trowser*  and  jacket. 
The  immense  long  watch  chain  hung  dangling  nearly 
down  to  his  knees  ;  altogether  poor  Jack  was  com- 
pletely metamorphosed.  When  he  turned  out  in  the 
morning  I  inquired  of  him  how  he  felt  afl»r  his  carouse. 
"Pretty  light,  ^ir,"  replied  he,  slapping  his  pockets, 
"for  they  have  eased  me  of  all  my  whack." 

've  got  something  to 


"What!"  replied  I,  "all  gone?" 
"Not  quite,"  returned  he,  «I' 


^'■frWl-'^'*'"'-  "•^■■■"■■"'1-' 


<  mirriaiMmi 


lomplcte  suit  irom 
exorbitant  price. 
,  and  the  clothes, 
Nantucket  broad 
The  remaining 
same  description, 
of  this  villainous 
he  paid   twenty 
th  two.    To  this 
ot  in  length  made 
ch  was  a  key,  not 
^h,  but  actually  a 
eautiful  collection 
with  the  key  was 
served  as  a  seal, 
iouse  exclusively 
0  half  dozen  girls, 
:ellence.    The  re- 
om  poor  Jack.    It 
night,  ho  was  not 
iioney,  but  in  the 
sly  kicked  out  of 
i  well  as  he  could, 
lere,  until  he  was 
men,  who  placed 
him  bending  his 
luch  crushed,  and 
ible  tier  pinches ;" 
lorn,  and  not  hav- 
is  shirt  stuck  out 
vser»  and  jacket. 
r  dangling  nearly 
r  Jack  was  com- 
umed  out  in  the 
;  after  his  carouse, 
iping  his  pockets, 
ack." 

{Ot  something  to 


LIFE   ON   THE   OCEAN. 


289 


show  for  it;"  pulling  out  his  watch  with  the  copious 
trappings  attacited  thereto,  and  handing  it  to  me  saying, 
"a  pretty  little  timo-koo|ier,  sir."  I  examined  the  watch, 
and  tho  result  was  that  tho  case  was  made  out  of  a 

Eiece  of  stout  tin  washed  over,  and  tho  internal  works 
ore  a  pretty  strong  resomblanco  to  tho  case. 
In  three  days  the  men  were  all  on  board,  and  with 
the  oxcoption  of  two,  they  had  all  spent  their  wages, 
but  unlike  my  protege,  Jack,  they  had  nothing  to  show 
for  it.  I  have  been  thus  jKirticular  in  noting  this  oc- 
currence in  full,  to  show  the  improvidence  of  sailors, 
and  to  show  that  very  little  can  be  elfected  to  advance 
their  moral  character,  unless  they  can  be  impressed 
with  the  absolute  necessity  of  total  abstinence  trom  all 
intoxicating  drinks. 

June  25. — The  ship  being  now  ballasted  and  ready 
for  sea,  advantage  was  taken  of  an  eastwardly  wind. 
We  cast  olf  from  the  Ilelder  and  proceeded  once  more 
through  tho  "kyk  down"  channel,  on  our  homeward 
passage  to  Baltimore.  We  had  a  fine  wind,  through 
the  North  sea  and  down  the  English  channel,  and  on 
the  morning  of  the  first  of  July,  took  our  departure  from 
the  Lizard  light,  it  bearing  north-east  and  by  east,  five 
leagues  distant.  At  meridian  the  island  of  Great  Britain 
had  the  appearance  of  an  irregular  dotted  line  upon  the 
wide  surface  of  the  ocean ;  and  at  sunset,  the  blue 
speck,  which  had  claimed  our  attention  for  some  hours 
past  had  sunk  in  the  distance,  and  once  more  we  were 
rolling  over  the  broad  Atlantic  toward  our  native  land. 
Order  and  regularity  being  again  restored,  I  embraced 
a  favourable  moment  to  present  to  the  minds  of  the 
crew  the  evil  consequence  of  improvidence,  as  well  as 
the  indulgence  of  that  worst  of  all  practices,  viz.  the 
inordinate  use  of  ardent  spirits.  I  pointed  out  to  them 
the  ruin  that  must  inevitably  ensue  to  soul  and  body 
by  persisting  in  its  use;  and  by  appealing  to  their 
present  condition,  I  showed  them  that  after  nearly  a 
year  and  a  half  of  toil  and  privation,  they  were  returning 
home  penniless,  and  all  for  the  single  gratification  of 
25» 


■y 


«kM«,<««iMMMi^iAa*MMW*MMMiU«i^^ 


LIFB   ON  THE   OOBAIT. 

what  they  called  the  pleasures  of  a  cruise ;  the  sam  to- 
tal of  which  was  comDined  in  swilling  gros  to  drunk- 
enness. The  force  of  these  appeals  seemed  to  make  a 
deep  impression,  and  the  fact  staring  them  in  the  face 
of  returning  to  the  United  States  after  so  long  an 
absence  without  moans,  and  that  they  would  neces- 
sarily be  obliged  to  embark  speedily  again,  was  a  source 
of  mortification,  which  sometimes  wrought  them  up 
almost  to  a  pitch  of  frenzy  and  madness.  I  had  abun- 
dant reason  to  believe,  however,  that  this  was  a  salutary 
lesson,  as  most  of  them  having  seen  their  error,  assured 
me  they  had  sworn  off  forever  from  drinking  liquor. 
How  far  these  resolutions  wore  kept  after  they  got  on 
shore,  I  know  not,  but  while  on  board  they  were  true 
to  their  promise. 

We  had  a  fine  run  across  the  Atlantic  with  uniformly 
good  weather,  and  on  the  sixth  of  August  1818,  took  a 
pilot  on  board  and  entered  the  Cliesapeake  Bay.  The 
wind  being  fresh  from  the  southward  we  had  a  fine 
run  up,  and  on  the  8th  once  more  let  go  our  anchor  in 
the  port  of  Baltimore. 


r' 


ittam 


f 


iiise ;  the  snm  to- 
ig  groff  to  drunk- 
Koemod  to  make  a 
them  in  the  face 
after  so  long  an 
ley  would  neces- 
^ain,  was  a  source 
irrought  them  up 
OSS.  I  had  abun- 
Ills  was  a  salutary 
[leir  error,  assured 
I  drinking  Uquor. 
after  they  got  on 
d  they  were  true 

:ic  with  uniformly 
ignst  1818,  took  a 
tpeake  Bay.  The 
•d  we  had  a  fine 
go  our  anchor  in 


CHAPTER   XXVI. 


MiHRIiOC — TAKES    COMMAND    OF   THE    SHIP     WILLIAM — TOTAOI 
TO    LliBON — HCAVr    tlALCE. 

I  was  once  more  on  terra  firma,  surrounded  by  my 
friends,  and  her.  to  whom  my  vows  were  piighteu,  and 
with  whom  1  expected  shortly  to  bo  unitea  in  the  holy 
bonds  of  matrimony.  To  this  event  I  looked  forward 
with  unmin^led  feelings  of  pleasure,  with  those  delight- 
ful anticipations  of  enjoying  that  happiness  which  is 
only  consequent  upon  domestic  ana  connubial  life. 
No  obstacle  now  prosonted  itself  to  prevent  its  consum- 
mation, on  the  contrary,  1  had  reached  the  acme  of  my 
profession,  having  been  appointed  to  the  command  of  the 
ship  in  which  I  last  sailed.  And  my  pecuniary  cir- 
cumstances and  prospects  were  such  as  to  justify  the 
important  step  which  I  was  about  to  take.  Considera- 
tions of  this  nature  induced  me  to  hasten  the  period  of 
our  nuptials,  as  the  ship  to  which  I  had  been  appointed 
was  already  taking  in  cargo,  and  was  destined  to  sail  in 
the  course  of  two  weeks.  Accordingly,  as  no  objections 
were  raised,  the  marriage  ceremony  was  performed  on 
the  I8th  day  of  August,  1818. 

I  had  now  entered  upon  a  new  course  of  life,  conse- 
quently obligations  and  responsibilities  multiplied  with 
the  change,  and  although  I  was  in  possession  of  all 
that  happiness  which  I  had  long  contemplated,  yet  a 
shade  of  gloom  would  often  pass  across  my  mind  at  the 
idea  of  being  so  soon  separated  from  the  object  who 
was  as  dear  to  me  as  life  itself.  Then  again  the  pre- 
cariousness  of  a  seaman's  life  with  its  constant  exposure, 
produced  a  feeling  very  opposite  to  that  buoyancy  of 


mm  iMhM^ii»fc  * 


292 


LIFE   ON  THE   OCEAN. 


spirit  which  had  so  stroL^ly  marked  my  character, 
when  embarking  on  former  voyages ;  however,  that 
moral  feeling  which  had  of  laie  gathered  around  my 
character,  now  excited  me  to  action  and  diligence  ;  be- 
lieving that  I  saw  my  accumulated  responsibility  in  its 
proper  light,  it  was  a  new  motive  to  stimulate  my  ex- 
ertions, in  order  to  sustain  with  becoming  respect  the 
domestic  and  social  relations  of  life.  With  these  views, 
therefore,  I  cheerfully  renewed  my  engagements,  and 
entered  upon  the  duties  of  my  new  station  as  com- 
mander of  the  ship  William. 

On  the  30th  of  August,  she  had  completed  taking  in 
cargo,  and  was  ready  for  sea ;  and  on  the  1  st  of  Sep- 
tember, after  exchanging  painful  adious,  under  feelings 
that  can  be  better  imagined  than  I  can  possibly  de- 
scribe them,  I  hastened  with  tremulous  steps  on  board 
thj3  ship,  and  the  wind  being  fair,  in  a  very  few  minutes 
we  were  under  a  press  of  canvas,  standing  down  the 
river. 

I  shall  forbear  entering  into  a  tedious  detail  in  refe- 
rence to  the  duties  connected  with  a  ship  on  leaving 
port,  as  it  has  been  often  described  in  the  foregoing  part 
of  this  work.  Being  now  invested  with  the  entire  con- 
trol and  management  of  this  ship,  and  as  I  had  seen 
the  good  effects  produced  by  a  course  of  mild  and  kind 
treatment,  connected  with  an  unrelaxed  state  of  disci- 
pline, to  the  sailors  by  Capt.  R.  on  the  last  voyage,  I 
determined  to  shape  my  course  in  future  in  a  similar 
way.  As  soon  therefore,  as  the  usual  duties  were  over 
on  leaving  the  land,  si^ch  as  clearing  the  decks,  setting 
thj  watch,  «fcc.  a  set  of  rules  and  regulations  were  drawn 
up  and  given  to  the  crew,  prohibiting  all  profane  lan- 
guage, fighting,  or  wrangling;  no  unnecessary  work 
to  be  done  on  Sabbath  days ;  and  that  in  the  room 
of  the  usual  allowance  of  ardent  spirits,  they  were 
to  have  coflfee,  tea  and  sugar;  they  were  also  to  have 
the  forenoon  watch  below  at  all  times,  and  watch  and 
watch  in  bad  weather,  and  Saturday  was  allowed  for 
washing  and  repairing  their  clothes,  <^c.    Implicit  obe<- 


mm 


M«iM 


VN. 

rked   my  character, 

jes  -,   however,  that 

athered  around  my 

and  diligence ;  be- 

responsibility  in  its 

;o  stimulate  my  ex- 

3Coming  respect  the 

With  these  views, 

r  engagements,  and 

3W   Station  as  com- 

completed  taking  in 
1  on  the  1st  of  Sep- 
Lioiis,  under  feelings 
1  can  possibly  de- 
Lilous  steps  on  board 
I  a  very  few  minutes 
,  standing  down  the 

edious  detail  in  refe- 
1  a  ship  on  leaving 
in  the  foregoing  part 
with  the  entire  con- 
,  and  as  I  had  seen 
rse  of  mild  and  kind 
laxed  state  of  disci- 
n  the  last  voyage,  I 
:  future  in  a  similar 
iual  duties  were  over 
ig  the  decks,  setting 
julations  were  drawn 
iting  all  profane  kn- 
0  unnecessary  work 
id  that  in  the  room 
t  spirits,  they  were 
ey  were  also  to  have 
unes,  and  watch  and 
rday  was  allowed  for 
s,  «&c.    Implicit  obe- 


'■■W** 


miffiTr  "'"''[  It 


LIFE  ON  THE  OCEAN. 


293 


dience  to  the  commands  of  the  officers  would  at  all 
times  be  required.  E  »rery  feature  of  these  rules  seemed 
to  be  well  received  by  the  crew,  with  th3  exception  of 
the  grog ;  they  chose  rather  to  relinquish  the  coffee,  tea, 
&c.  than  have  their  allowance  of  spirits  withheld ;  to 
this  I  assented,  well  knowing  that  to  deprive  a  sailor  of 
his  allowance  of  grog  by  coercive  nieasures,  would  not 
only  prove  the  intended  effect  abortive,  but  would  also 
be  a  source  of  grumbling  and  perhaps  mutinous  conduct 
during  the  voyage. 

In  the  first  part  of  this  passage  a  little  difficulty  was 
encountered  to  restrain  the  seamen  from  the  use  of  pro- 
fane language,  owing  principally,  however,  to  the  fact, 
that  a  pernicious  example  was  set  them  by  the  officers. 
By  frequent  appeals,  however,  to  their  moral  feelings, 
and  strict  adherence  to  the  undeviating  course  adopted 
in  this  respect,  its  use  was  soon  banished  from  the 
ship. 

This  being  the  month  when  the  sun  crosses  the  au- 
tumnal equinox,  we  had  a  constant  succession  of  heavy 
squalls  and  gales  since  our  departure  from  Cape  Henry ; 
and  as  the  ship  was  deeply  laden  with  corn  almost  be- 
yond her  bearings,  every  seaman  will  know  that  she 
mifst  have  been  laboursome  and  very  uneasy.  On  the 
morning  of  the  24th  of  September,  the  weather  was 
dark  and  cloudy,  and  it  blew  a  gale  from  south-south- 
west, with  a  heavy  rolling  sea.  The  top-gallant  yards 
were  sent  down  and  well  secured  on  deck,  the  topsails 
were  close  reefed  and  the  mizzen-topsail,  jib,  and  spanker 
were  furled.  At  4  p.  m.  the  gale  increased  with  heavy 
showers  of  rain,  attended  with  severe  thunder  and 
lightning.  At  this  time  the  fore-topsail  was  furled  and 
the  foresail  reefed,  and  the  ship  was  brought  to  the  wind 
on  the  starboard  tack  ;  before  night  the  appearance  of 
the  elements  was  awful  in  the  extreme,  heavy  dense 
black  clouds  rose  up  to  the  northward,  and  were  driven 
furiously  along  until  they  met  with  the  impetuous  south-" 
east  scud,  when  the  frightful  concussion  broke  upon  the 
ear  with  peal  on  peal  of  roaring  thunder,  while  the  light- 


■lA'i 


294 


LIFE   ON  THE   OCEAN. 


ning's  horrid  glare  played  around  the  masts  and  rigging, 
and,  as  if  impelled  by  some  demon  of  destruction,  threat- 
ened to  envelope  the  noble  ship  in  one  vast  sheet  of 
flame.     While  memory  holds  its  empire,  I  shall  never 
forget  that  night.     At  midnight  wore  round  on  the  lar- 
board tack,  furled  the  main-topsail  and  foresail  and  set 
the  storm-staysails.     Such  was  the  deafening  roar  of 
the  elements,  the  bellowing  thunder  and  the  terrific 
bias*",  of  wind,  which  ever  and  anon  came  howling  p'er 
the  angry  deep,  that  it  was  impossible  to  be  heard  with 
a  speaking  trumpet  half  the  length  of  the  ship.    At  1 
A.  M.  the  dense  pile  of  black  clouds  lifted  their  enormous 
masses  from  the  horizon  from  north  to  west,  presenting 
a  long  streak  of  clear  blue  sky  ;  at  the  same  moment 
was  heard  a  heavy  roaring  pe;il  of  thunder  nttonded  by 
a  sharp  flash  of  lightning,  then  came  the  sudden  and 
awfiil  change  of  wind  from  north-north-west. 
■  The  gale  struck  the  ship  with  furious  blast  and  threw 
her  down,  two  feet  of  her  main  deck  being  under  water. 
To  add  to  the  horror  of  this  awful  scene,  the  forward 
bulkhead  broke  away   below  the   lower  deck  beams, 
which  drove  the  immense  body  of  corn  into  the  fore- 
peak,  at  the  same  time  the  planks  which  formed  the 
casings  of  the  pumps  started  from  the  joists  to  which 
they  were  confined  by  spikes,  and  the  corn  found  its 
way  into  the  pump  well,  which  was  soon  filled  up  as 
far  as  between  decks.     The  violence  too  of  the  first 
blast,  split  the  mizzen-staysail,  and  it  blew  from  the 
bolt-rope.    The  only  sails  she  now  had  on  her,  were 
the  fore  and  main-staysails;   consequently  having  no 
after  sail  she  fell  off  and  brought  the  sea  a-beam.     For- 
tunately, however,  the  wind  had  not  blown  sufficiently 
long  to  make  a  dangerous  sea.     It  was  neverth-^less  a 
perilous  situation,-  and  it  became  absolutely  necessary 
for  the  safety  of  the  ship  either  to  take  in  the  fore-top- 
mast staysail,  or  to  get  tarpaulins  in  the  mizzen  rigging 
so  as  to  keep  her  up  to  the   wind.     We  were  soon, 
however,  relieved  from  the  necessity  of  taking  in  the 
staysails,  for  at  this  moment,  on  came  a  terrific  gust  of 


lasts  and  rigging, 
3struction,threat- 
ne  vast  sheet  of 
ire,  I  shall  never 
round  on  the  lar- 
d  foresail  and  set 
leafening  roar  of 

and  the  terrific 
ame  howling  p'er 
to  be  heard  with 
f  the  ship.  At  1 
id  their  enormous 
1  west,  presenting 
he  same  moment 
nder  nttonded  by 
5  the  sudden  and 
ti-west. 

s  blast  and  threw 
Ring  under  water, 
iene,  the  forward 
nrer  deck  beams, 
orn  into  the  fore- 
irhich  formed  the 
3  joists  to  which 
;he  corn  found  its 

soon  filled  up  as 
B  too  of  the  first 
it  blew  from  the 
liad  on  her,  were 
uently  having  no 
;ea  a- beam.  For- 
blown  sufficiently 
'as  neverth-^less  a 
jolutely  necessary 
e  in  the  fore-top- 
lie  mizzen  rigging 

We  were  soon, 

of  taking  in  the 
le  a  terrific  gust  of 


LIFE   0J»   THE   00  h 


wind,  and  the  staysails  were  blown  to  pieces.  The 
ship  being  now  somewhat  eased  from  ihe  pressure  of 
the  canvas,  righted  so  far  as  to  bring  her  deck  out  of 
water.  The  tarpaulins  were  accordingly  secured  in  the 
iiiizzen  rigging,  and  Avith  this  she  lay  for  a  short  time 
comparatively  well.  But  when  the  morning  light  broke 
forth,  the  gale  as  if  with  maddening  fury  seemed  to  re- 
double its  violence.  No  longer  Avas  the  ship  capable  of 
resistance,  and  it  became  absolutely  necessary  for  her 
safety  and  the  lives  of  the  ciew,  to  get  her  before  the 
wind.  This  was  the  m(^e  unavoidable  as  she  strained 
exceedingly  in  her  upper  works,  and  was  now  leaking 
to  a  considerable  degree  •,  imperious  necessity  therefore 
demanded  that  some  plan  should  be  executed  to  get  the 
corn  from  out  of  the  pump  well,  so  that  we  might  work 
them  and  free  the  ship.  The  sea  had  risen  to  an  alarm- 
ing height,  and  every  seaman  will  know  the  danger  of 
keeping  the  ship  otf  in  such  a  moment  as  this.  It  was, 
however,  the  only  alternative.  Four  men  were  sent  on 
the  fore-yard  to  slacken  down  the  gaskets  of  the'clew 
of  the  foresail,  and  two  men  were  sent  in  the  mizzen 
rigging  to  cut  away  the  tai'paulins.  All  being  now 
ready,  the  starboard  head  braces  were  hauled  in,  and 
the  after  yards  squared ;  the  helm  then  was  put  to 
weather,  the  fore-tack  was  bowsed  taut,  and  the  tar- 
paulins were  cut  away.  For  a  moment  the  ship  shook 
violently,  but  presently  she  began  to  fall  off.  When 
about  four  points  from  the  wind,  a_heavy  sea  came 


rolling  on  with  frightful  rapidity.  The  vessel  could 
not  clear  it.  I  saw  an  awful  crisis  at  hand,  and  shout- 
ed for  every  man  to  secure  himself  as  best  he  could. 
The  immense  weight  of  water  fell  on  board,  knocking 
the  launch  out  of  the  chocks,  and  sweeping  away  spars, 
water  casks,  and  the  starboard  bulwarks  from  the  gang 
way  to  the  fore  rigging.  She  was  now  before  the  wind, 
and  like  an  impatient  steed  when  checked,  was  now 
dashing  along  at  the  rate  of  ten  knots,  sometimes 
careening  on  the  top  of  a  mountain  wave,  and  then 
plunging  into  the  fearful  abyss  which  threatened  to  swal- 


^.i^iftmlmlil'imU^ . 


mamm. 


■ipiiMpaiipiiilWIilPil 


296 


LIFB  ON  THE  008AN. 


low  her  up  in  its  merciless  chasms  of  whirling  commo- 
tion. Four  hours  of  extreme  peril  and  intense  anxiety 
passed  away,  and  not  till  the  sun  had  crossed  its 
meridian,  did  the  gust  become  less  violent.  At  3  p.  m. 
it  moderated,  and  the  gale  though  severe  was  not  dan- 
gerous, as  the  sea  became  regular  and  following. 

Thus  far  it  had  been  impossible  to  do  any  thing  in 
reference  to  getting  the  corn  from  the  pump  well.  A 
baracado  was  now  erected  and  the  pumps  were  hoisted 
out,  then  one  man  was  lowered  down  with  a  sack  by  a 
girtline  from  the  main-top.  TJJ^e  sack  was  filled  with 
corn,  then  drawn  up,  again  let  down,  and  so  on  in  this 
way  we  continued  to  clear  the  pump  well;  but  the 
progress  was  necessarily  slow.  The  leak  was  soon 
discovered  and  stopped,  and  at  the  expiration  of  seven 
hours  the  well  was  entirely  cleared,  the  pumps  were 
lowered  into  their  places,  and  the  ship  was  pumped  out, 
having  made  but  two  feet  and  a  half  of  water  during 
the  whole  of  the  gale. 

The  next  object  was  to  secure  the  forward  bulkhead ; 
this  labour,  however,  was  deferred  until  the  next  morn- 
ing, when  the  gale  had  moderated  sufficiently,  so  as  to 
get  sail  enough  on  the  ship  to  keep  her  steady.  The 
bulkhead  was  secured  as  strongly  as  practicable,  and 
the  severe  disasters  which  we  had  received,  were  now 
repaired  ;  but  the  loss  of  the  corn  which  had  been 
pumped  out,  and  the  balance  having  shifted,  it  gave  the 
ship  nearly  four  streaks  list  to  starboard.  So  that  when 
we  arrived  in  Lisbon,  she  was  as  much  careened  as 
when  canying  sail  in  a  hard  gale.  1  had  no  reason  to 
regret  having  established  the  course  of  treatment  and 
regulations  with  the  crew,  which  have  been  stated  at 
the  commencement  of  this  voyage ;  on  the  contnury, 
every  man  did  his  duty  cheerfully  and  in  a  seaman-like 
manner,  and  had  it  not  been  for  the  ability  and  exer- 
tions of  the  seamen,  the  ship  could  not  have  been  saved. 

October  6. — Came  to  an  anchor  abreast  of  Belhani 
castle,  the  place  appointed  for  vessels  subject  to  quaran- 
tine restrictions ;  and  as  our  ship  was  of  that  number,  of 


iriWnrtMW'ii-ii-m 


whirling  commo- 
d  intense  anxiety 

had  crossed  its 
olent.  At  3  p.  m. 
rere  was  not  dan- 
following. 
)  do  any  thing  in 
e  pump  well.  A 
mps  were  hoisted 

with  a  sack  by  a 
:  was  filled  with 
and  so  on  in  this 
ip  weir,  but  the 
I  leak  was  soon 
:piration  of  seven 

the  pumps  were 

was  pumped  out, 
f  of  water  during 

>rward  bulkhead ; 
il  the  next  morn- 
fficiently,  so  as  to 
tier  steady.  The 
i  practicable,  and 
ceived,  were  now 
which  had  been 
hifted,  it  gave  the 
d.  So  that  when 
tiuch  careened  as 
'.  had  no  reason  to 
of  treatment  and 
ve  been  stated  at 
on  the  contrsury, 
I  in  a  seaman-like 
I  ability  and  exer- 
;  have  been  saved, 
breast  of  Belhamt 
subject  to  quaran- 
ofthat  number,  of 


"fSHPI?" 


^aHH 


'gsg-a&taiwistia.. 


LIFE   ON  THE   OCEAN. 


297 


course  we  had  to  comply  with  the  existing  laws,  which 
were  more  rigid  with  vessels  laden  with  grain,  because 
the  importation  of  this  article  was  much  greater  from 
the  Mediterranean  than  from  all  other  ports.  To  this 
fear  of  the  plague  and  other  contagious  diseases  so  pre- 
valent among  the  Mediterranean  islands,  being  introdu- 
ced, may  be  attributed  the  strict  regulations  alluded  to. 
We  were  not  permitted  to  send  the  letter-bag  on  shore, 
until  three  days  after  our  arrival,  and  even  then  the 
letters  underwent  a  most  ridiculous  process  before  they 
were  delivered  to  their  respective  owners.  After  all  the 
whole  modus  operandi  of  executing  these  regulations  was 
a  mere  farce  ;  for  instance,  grain  seems  to  be  the  great 
bugbear,  nevertheless  it  is  landed  and  taken  up  to  the 
city  immediately  after  its  arrival,  thereby  incurring  all 
the  risk  their  obnoxious  laws  endeavour  to  prevent; 
and  it  would  appear,  therefore,  that  this  perplexing 
delay,  is  intended  mainly  to  make  additional  expense. 

Nothing  worthy  of  note  transpired  during  our  stay. 
The  corn  was  all  discharged  while  in  quarantine,  and 
after  a  tedious  delay  of  thirty  days,  the  ship  was  per- 
mitted to  go  up  to  Lisbon,  where  we  remained  ten  days, 
and  took  in  a  cargo  of  wines  and  salt. 

November  17. — We  took  advantage  of  the  tide,  and 
the  wind  being  fair,  got  under  way,  made  sail  and  stood 
down  the  river.  At  2  p.  m.  discharged  the  pilot,  stowed 
the  anchors,  unbent  the  cables,  coiled  them  down  below, 
and  executed  such  other  work  as  is  usual  when  ves- 
sels leave  port.  At  sunset  the  rock  of  Lisbon  bore  east- 
north-east,  distant  ten  leagues;  and  as  the  dujk  of 
evening  closed  in,  the  only  visible  appearance  was  a 
long  dark  blue  line  upon  the  surface  of  the  ocean, 
stretching  north  and  south  as  far  as  the  extent  of 
vision.  I  determined  to  make  the  southern  passage, 
believing  it  could  be  effected  in  less  time  and  at  much 
less  risk  in  the  wear  and  tear  of  the  ship,  and  also 
much  more  to  the  comfort  of  the  passengers  and  crew. 
Accordingly  we  kept  away  to  the  southward,  to  reach  as 
quickly  as  possible  the  limits  of  the  norl^-east  trade 
26 


mumm^^M 


,;^;^^ig^ 


■PIMHHPW 


mmtmiuKmm 


29S 


LIFE   ON  THE   OCEAN. 


winds.    The  moon  this  night  rose  with  unusual  bril- 
liancy, and  occasionally  might  be  seen  a  bright  star  or 
planet  in  the  azure  vault  above ;  the  wind  was  fair,  and 
the  sea  smooth,  and  the  ship  was  running  along  at  the 
rate  of  eight  knots,  with  studding-sails  set  betoW  and 
aloft.    It  reminded  me  of  one  of  those  beautiful  nights 
in  the  Pacific  Ocean,  described  in  the  foregoing  part 
of  this  work,  when  I  was  before  the  mast,  and  when 
too,  my  old  messmate,  Jack  Sawyer  and  myself  spun 
out  many  long  yarns  in  the  foretop.    Nearly  ten  years 
had  rolled  away  since  that  period,  but  the  exciting 
scenes  and  the  many  happy  hours  of  that  voyage  will 
long  live  in  my  memory.    How  different  was  now  my 
situation  ;  I  had  passed  through  the  various  gradations 
of  a  sea-life,  and  was  now  the  commander  ol  a  fane 
ship ;  and  yet  it  would  be  difficult  to  say  which  was 
the  happier  period  of  my  life.    Now  yon  moon  shone 
as  resplendently,  yet  the  sight  did  not  produce  those 
exquisite  feelings  of  pleasure  and  gratificatiorij^  that  it 
had  done  on  my  first  voyage  when  a  boy.    The  ship 
too  was  now  bounding  over  the  trackless  deep  like 
some  creature  possessed  of  life  and  animation,  present- 
inc  one  of  the  most  magnificent  sights  in  creation, 
and  yet  even  this  had  lost  much  of  its  interest ;  and 
although  being  homeward  bound,  which  to  a  sailor  is 
always  a  source  of  pleasure,  song  and  merriment,  yet  to 
me  it  was  measui-ably  lost,  because  of  the  important 
trust  and  accumulated  responsibility  with  which  I  was 

now  surrounded.  „      .  .  *    ^„ 

Although  that  buoyancy  of  spirit  consequent  upon 
youthful  ambition  had  passed  away,  yet  the  more  staid 
and  energetic  firmness  of  capability  had  taken  its  place ; 
and  I  felt  a  degree  of  pride  in  the  reflection  that  it  was 
so,  and  notwithstanding  the  deep  responsibility  invested 
in  me,  that  it  should  even  produce  greater  anxiety  m 
rejai'd  to  the  duties  which  fell  to  my  lot;  another  and 
greater  source  of  happiness  was,  that  steady  enterprise 
and  perseverance  would  one  day  place  me  in  a  condi- 
tiou  to  be  enabled  to  relinquish  the  hardships  of  a  sea- 


LIFE   ON  THE   OCEAN. 


WW 


rith  unusual  bril- 
[X  a  bright  star  or 
'ind  was  fair,  and 
ning  along  at  the 
Is  set  below  and 
e  beautiful  nights 
le  foregoing  part 
mast,  and  when 
and  myself  spun 
Nearly  ten  years 
but  the  exciting 
f  that  voyage  will 
•ent  was  now  my 
irarious  gradations 
imander  of  a  fine 
to  say  which  was 
•  yon  moon  shone 
not  produce  those 
atification,  that  it 
a  boy.    The  ship 
ackless  deep  like 
nimation,  present- 
ights  in  creation, 
f  its  interest ;  and 
/^hich  to  a  sailor  is 
I  merriment,  yet  to 
J  of  the  important 
with  which  I  was 

consequent  upon 
yet  the  more  staid 
ad  taken  its  place ; 
flection  that  it  was 
ponsibility  invesited 
greater  anxiety  in 
jr  lot;  another  and 
t  steady  enterprise 
ice  me  in  a  condi- 
hardships  of  a  sea- 


life,  and  enjoy  all  those  social  and  domestic  comforts, 
which  are  only  to  be  found  in  the  endearments  of  home 
and  society. 

November  23. — Saw  the  island  of  Madeira,  Snd  as  we 
ranged  up  towards  the  centre  of  the  fore-ground,  the 
wind  being  off  shore,  we  enjoyed  the  balmy  odours  of 
its  fragrant  trees  and  flowers,  which  Avore  sent  off  by 
the  sweeping  land  breeze.  The  weather  was  unusually 
fine,  the  wind  fair,  the  sea  smooth,  which  together  witn 
the  delicious  odours  from  the  land,  conspired  to  make  up 
one  of  those  delightful  days  at  sea,  tending  to  produce 
a  kind  of  forgetfulness  of  its  perils  and  its  hardships. 
At  sunset  the  island  bore  north-east  twelve  leagues 
distant,  from  which  we  took  our  departure  and  soon 
reached  the  parallel  of  26°  degrees  north.  As  we  ex- 
perienced a  fine  north-east  trade  wind,  I  chose  this 
latitude  to  mn  down  the  westing.  Nothing  worthy  of 
note  or  comment  transpired  to  intercept  the  monotony, 
which  is  usual  on  ship-board  when  a  long  series  of  fair 
winds  prevail. 

December  19. — Being  in  the  longitude  of  66°  degrees 
west,  we  hauled  to  the  northward,  and  soon  perceived 
strong  indications  of  change  in  the  climate.  The 
weather  now  became  squally  with  frequent  gales.  On 
the  27th  crossed  the  stream,  and  as  the  wind  blew  a 
severe  gale  from  the  north-east,  the  ship  was  hove  to  on 
the  starboard  tack,  when  she  was  judged  to  be  inside 
of  the  gulf.  This  was  a  fortunate  circumstance,  as  the 
gale  blew  with  incredible  fiiry  for  twenty-four  hours, 
so  that  the  ship  was  driven  by  its  violence  to  within 
twelve  miles  of  Cape  Hatteras  ehoals,  when  the  gale 
broke. 

On  the  30th  of  December,  being  in  ten  fathoms  of 
water,  off  Oape  Charles,  the  wind  again  blew  a  heavy 
gale  firom  the  north-east,  and  no  alternative  was  lefl  but 
to  try  to  run  the  ship  into  the  Chesapeake  Bay  at  the  risk 
of  being  driven  on  a  lee  shore  and  lose  the  vessel;  for 
no  pilot  had  come  on  board,  although  lights  had  been 
hoisted  and  guns  fixed  during  the  whole  of  the  preced- 


iMiliililiilili^^ 


mmmsiittmammtM 


300 


LIFE   ON  THE   OCEAN. 


ing  night  to  attract  their  notice.    The  position  of  the 
ship  was  now  critical.    It  blew  a  hard  gale,  the  rain 
fell  in  torrents,  and  nothing  could  be  seen  ten  yards 
from  the  deck  ;  and  to  add  to  this  perilous  situation,  we 
had  only  nine  fathoms  of  water.    Just  at  this  moment 
Providence  favoured  us  •,  the  rain  ceased,  the  mist  broke 
away,  and  we  caught  a  g'impse  of  Smith's  Island.     It 
was  indeed  but  a  glimpse,  ibr  it  immediately  shut  in 
thick  again,  but  it  was  enough  for  our  purpose.     Close 
reefed  topsails  were  put  on  the  ship,  and  I  shaped  a 
course  from  the  bearings  of  the  island  to  cross  the  tail 
of  the  middle  ground  in  five  fathoms  of  water.     Here 
again  I  experienced  the  great  benefit  arising  from  kind 
treatment  to  a  ship's  crew.     This  was  an  hour  that  re- 
quired all  the  firmness,  seamanship  and  activity  a  crew 
could  muster  to  their  aid,  and  1  can  safely  say,  with 
ours  there  was  no  flinching;   for  every  man  did  his 
duty  with  alacrity  and  in  a  seaman-like  manner.     In 
about  thirty  minutes,  I  found  all  was  right ;  the  sound- 
ings indicated  our  approach  to  the  middle  ground,  and 
presently  we  struck  bottom  in  five  fathoms  as  contem- 
plated by  the  bearings  of  the  island.     In  a  short  time 
the  heavy  mist  which  had  obscured  the  view  from  all 
surrounding  objects   cleared  away,  and   Cape  Henry 
light-house  was  seen  directly  ahead  ;   still  no  pilot  boat 
was  visible,  and  as  it  continued  to  blow  hard,  of  course 
the  greatest  anxiety  prevailed  throughout  the  ship.     In 
this  critical  juncture,  I  determined  to  hazard  the  risk 
of  running  her  into  Hampton  Roads  ;  fortunately,  how- 
ever, when  the  regular  soundings  on  the  shore  were 
obtained,  a  pilot  boat  was  discovered  coming  down  the 
bay.     In  a  few  minutes  to  our  great  relief,  we  received 
a  pilot  on  board,  and  run  the  ship  into  the  Roads  and 
anchored.    The  next  morning  at  daylight,  got  under 
way  and  stood  up  the  bay  with  a  fine  breeze  from  the 
southward,  and  on  the  4th  of  January,  1819,  anchored 
ir.  the  harbor  of  Baltimore,  making  the  p&ssage  in  forty- 
eight  days  from  Lisbon. 


ac<^(^    'jff'**"'*'''*^^^  '      *-*f^  Slf'^f^f.*".  T. 


le  position  of  the 
rd  gale,  the  rain 
le  seen  ten  yards 
Ions  situation,  we 
St  at  this  moment 
ed,  the  mist  broke 
lith's  Island.     It 
nediately  shut  in 
"  purpose.     Close 
),  and  I  shaped  a 
id  to  cross  the  tail 
i  of  water.    Here 
arising  from  kind 
IS  an  hour  that  re- 
nd activity  a  crew 
II  safely  say,  with 
ery  man  did  his 
like  manner.    In 
right ;  the  sound- 
iddle  ground,  and 
I  thorns  as  contem- 
.    In  a  short  time 
the  view  from  all 
and   Cape  Henry 
still  no  pilot  boat 
iw  hard,  of  course 
lout  the  ship.     In 
to  hazard  the  risk 
fortunately,  how- 
n  the  shore  were 
coming  down  the 
relief,  we  received 
ito  the  Aoads  and 
lylight,  got  under 
e  breeze  from  the 
ry,  1819,  anchored 
e  passage  in  forty- 


CHAPTER  XXVII. 


VOYAGE    TO   BATAVIA — BURIAL    AT   SKA. 

The  strong  and  powerful  feelinRs  consequent  upon 
the  meeting  of  near  and  very  dear  friends,  after  a  sepa- 
ration of  nearly  four  months,  being  over,  I  not  only  en- 
joyed the  quiet  repose  of  home,  but  also  the  society  of 
her  who  was  now  thd  companion  of  my  life  and  fortunes. 
Though  much  separation  would  of  course  be  our  lot, 
from  the  nature  of  my  avocation,  yet  there  was  now  an 
object  in  whom  I  could  repose  with  perfect  confidence, 
and  also  unite  in  those  sympatheric  feelings  so  dear  to 
the  human  heart. 

Never  during  the  whole  period  of  my  life,  did  time 
pass  so  happily,  and  I  may  say  so  rationally,  as  the  pre- 
sent respite  from  the  toils  upon  the  ocean.  No  cloud 
presented  its  dark  shadow,  no  sorrow  gave  a  shade  of 
gloom,  and  no  blighting  disease  laid  its  withering  spjell 
on  our  cheerful  hearth  side,  to  mar  the  Wiss  of  social  in- 
tercourse and  mutual  love.  These  v/ere  halcyon  days 
swiftly  passing  on  the  wheels  of  time,  destined  shortly, 
however,  to  be  interrupted.  It  was  about  this  period 
that  I  assumed  the  command  of  the  ship  Edward,  be- 
longing to  the  same  owners. 

Two  months  and  a  half  having  gone  by  almost  im- 
perceptibly, the  ship  to  which  I  had  been  transferred 
was  once  more  completely  fitted  out  for  an  East  India 
voyage.  The  duties  of  supercargo  being  committed  to 
my  charge,  created  an  amount  of  responsibility  whieh 
never  had  before  fallen  to  my  lot,  and  the  importance  of 
the  trust  was  a  source  of  considerable  anxiety  to  me. 
26* 


I5i 


'■■I    J 


J^^j^^^^&^^^ 


ittlMKniu^ltfialftuMi 


302 


LIFE   ON  THE   OCEAlf. 


Here  too  was  a  voyage  before  me  of  not  less  than  one 
year,  subject  not  only  to  the  perils  of  the  sea,  out  also  to 
the  pestilences  of  the  torrid  zone ;  for  it  must  be  knowu 
that  I  was  once  more  bound  to  Batavia. 

On  the  20th  of  March,  specie  amounting  to  one  hun- 
dred and  forty  thousand  dollars,  was  taken  on  board, 
and  every  thing  being  in  complete  readiness,  I  bade 
adieu  to  my  companion  and  friends,  and  once  more 
found  my  way  to  the  quarter  deck  of  a  gallant  ship. 
The  wind  being  fair,  in  a  few  minutes  the  well-known 
song  at  the  windlass  was  hoard  and  then  the  hoarse 
voice  of  the  first  officer  calling  out  "the  anchor  is  short 
apeak, sir— lay  aloft  fore  and  aft,  and  loose  the  topsails  and 
top-gullant  sails."    Tliese  orders  were  quickly  obeyed. 
The  sails  were  sliocted  home,  and  hoisted  to  the  mast- 
head, and  the  yards  were  braced  so  as  to  cant  the  ship's 
head  to  starboard.     And  again  the  long  drawn  song  was 
heard  at  the  windlass,  the  anchor  was  rapidly  hove  up  to 
the  bows,  rtnd  in  a  few  minutes  our  gallant  ship  was 
standing  down  the  river  under  a  press  of  canvas.   It  was 
one  of  tliose  peculiarly  bland  days,  which  frequently 
marks  the  premature  advance  of  spring,  but  which  at 
the  same  time  is  the  precursor  of  a  coming  storm.     The 
day  was  clear  and   the   gentle   south-western   breeze 
brought  with  it  trie  mildness  of  latter  spring ;   these  to- 
gether witii  the  genial  warmth  of  the  sun,  produced  an 
unusual  degree  of  heal  for  this  period  of  the  season ; 
nor  was  the  folingc  and  verdure  unmindful  of  this  pre- 
mature v;armth,  lijr  on  either  side  of  the  river  might  be 
seen  the  springing  bud  of  various  li  ties  swelling  out ;  and 
grassy  plains  spreading  forth  their  delightful  green,  on  all 
of  which  tlie  eye  might  rest  uuwcuried  with  pleasure. 
These  siglits   along   the   river's   bank  afforded  to  the 
mind  a  relief  which  tended  to  dissipate  a  part  of  the 
gloom  induced   by  the  certainty  of  a  year's  absence. 
And  yet  this  was  but  a  transient  respite.    Every  pass- 
ing object,  the  liunierous  ciult  and  jolly  boatmen  with 
light  hearts  and  chccrlul  song,  plying  gaily  towards  a 
much  cherished  home,  from  which  we  were  now  fost 


-13mBJ.1»i.Vm    I     ill     ii|.u,     ^IHI^IWH.^-" '■■■  ■ 


p 


lot  less  than  one 

te  sea,  l>ut  also  to 

I  must  be  knowu 

t. 

uing  to  one  hun- 

taken  on  board, 
cadiness,  I  bade 
,  and  once  more 
of  a  gallant  ship. 
H  the  well-known 

then  the  hoarse 
\c  anchor  is  shorl 
se  the  topsails  and 
3  quickly  obeyed. 
listed  to  the  mast- 
to  cant  the  ship's 
g  drawn  song  was 
rapidly  hove  up  to 

gallant  ship  was 
of  canvas.  It  was 
which  frequently 
ing,  but  which  at 
niing  storm.  The 
th-westorn  breeze 

spring  -,   these  to- 

sun,  produced  an 
i)d  «tf  the  season ; 
indful  of  this;  pre- 
thc  river  might  be 
swelling  out  •,  and 
ghtfulgreeUjOn  all 
"icd  with  pleasure. 
lU  afforded  to  the 
pate  a  part  of  the 

a  year  s  absence, 
ipite.  Every  pass- 
lolly  boatmen  with 
II g  gaily  towards  a 

we  were  now  fost 


Lira  ON  THE  OCEAN. 

receding,  called  up  more  strongly  the  pangs  of  separa- 
tion. Nought  could  now  be  seen  by  keen  afTecUon's 
glance  of  that  home  which  but  three  hours  ago  we  left, 
except  a  dark  blue  spot,  and  even  that  perha})8,  was  but 
a  fantasy  of  a  highly  wrought  imagination.  On  coursed 
the  gallant  bark,  nor  heeded  sighs,  nor  tears,  nor  senti- 
mental pangs,  as  the  increasing  breeze  swelled  the 
white  canvas,  and  impelled  her  more  rapidly  down  the 
Chesapeake  Bay.  Blow  on  ye  winds,  nor  slacken  your 
force,  nor  alter  your  course,  until  half  this  round  world 
is  circled  and  our  barque  is  safely  moored  off  Java's 
spicy  isle.  In  thirty  hours  we  reached  Cape  Henry,  and 
although  the  weather  ua°  tluck  and  threatening,  with 
light  northerly  winds,  yet  the  pilot  was  discharged  and 
we  stood  to  sea. 

On  the  22d  of  March,  at  sunset,  heavy  clouds  rose  up 
from  the  north-west  and  gave  strong  mdications  of  a 
shift  of  wind.  Every  sail  was  furled  except  the  close 
reefed  fore-topsail.  It  was  fortunate  for  us  that  we  took 
this  precaution,  as  the  heavy  north-wester  struck  us  at 
9  p.  M.  and  blew  with  great  violence  for  thirty-six  hours, 
carrying  us  to  the  eastward  of  the  gulf  stream. 

March  25. — ^This  was  a  black  day  in  our  calendar. 
One  of  the  young  seamen  while  in  the  act  of  loosing  the 
main-top-gallantsail  fell  on  the  main  deck,  dislocated  his 
shoulder,  cut  his  head  and  mouth,  and  was  so  much 
bruised  that  he  did  not  speak  for  eleven  days  ;  but  by 
great  care  and  attention,  in  three  weeks  his  bodily 
health  was  perfectly  restored.  This  was  but  the  com- 
mencement of  our  troubles  on  this  voyage.  My  first 
officer,  although  a  good  sailor,  was  a  man  of  no  charac- 
ter whatever,  therefore,  he  could  neither  be  made  a  con- 
fidant or  companion  of.  The  second  officer,  although  a 
young  man  of  good  education,  was  neither  sailor  nor 
officer,  consequently  was  unfit  for  the  berth.  The  crew 
which  consisted  of  six  able  seamen  and  four  apprentices, 
all  nearly  equal  to  able-bodied  men,  were  very  refirac- 
tory ;  two  of  them  having  been  old  man-of-war's  men. 
The  cook  and  steward  were  both  good  colored  men. 


I . 


'"  "  - "Ti    'ii"  -r  hih. 'rtitiil- "  '■\n\  «ii'ij0iiiWi^<iiMti  Wm  "w      nn-  utor'f'  '^* 


304 


LIFE   ON   THE   OCEAN. 


Of  course,  it  may  be  supposed  that  with  a  crew  andoffi- 
cen  of  the  above  description,  it  reciuired  no  little  firm- 
ness and  decision  of  purpose  to  ostublish  and  mamtam 
a  good  state  of  discipline ;  and  indeed  this  was  not 
thoroughly  accomplished  until   the   homeward   bound 
passage ;   it  was  thou  elFected   through  the  agency  of 
sickness  and  death,  as  :vill  bo  hereafter  stated.    Although 
every  privilege  was  allowed,  consistent  with  the  duties 
of  the  ship,  and  although  every  care  was  taken  with  re- 
gard to  their  food  and  diet,  as  well  as  to  the  comfort  and 
cleanliness  of  the  forecastle ;  and  further,  no  man  was 
allowed  to  be  called  out  of  his  name,  yet  notwithstand- 
ing all  those  regulations  and  caio  to  tlieir  welfare,  there 
were  some  of  tlio  sailors  who  never  manifested  anything 
else  but  the  basest  ingratitude.     After  this  the  ship  was 
exceedingly   laborsouie,  steered  badly,  and  scarcely  a 
day  passed  in  heavy  wealher  lliut  a  spar  or  some  ot  the 
rigging  was  not  carried  away.     After  a  passage  of  one 
hundred  and  four  days  we  arrived  in  Uatavia  and  an- 
chored in  the  roads.     Here  were  a  number  of  American 
as  well  as  other  vessels  waiting  for  cargoes.    As  soon  as 
the  necessary  precautions  were  taken,  such  as  getting 
awnings  fore  and  aft  the  ship,  sending  down  the  yards, 
masts,  rigging,  «fcc.  so  as  to  screen  the  sailors  from  the 
heat  of  the  sun  while  at  work,  I  repaired  to  the  shore 
and  procured  a  crew  of  Malays  to  man  the  boat ;  a  pro- 
ceeding  always  necessary  for  the  preservation  of  the 
health  of  our  men  in  Data  via.    It  is  customary  for  mas- 
ters and  supercargoes  to  take  up  their  residences  about 
three  miles  in  the  country ;  this  is  done  for  the  preser- 
vation  of  health,  and  is  attended  with  but  little  extra 
expense,  for  every  person  doing  business  is  necessarily 
obliged,  from  the  intense  heat,  to  have  a  carriage  always 
at  his  command.  .  •     t  i         a 

From  the  captain  of  a  Newburyport  ship,  1  learned 
that  Mr.  P.  my,  mate,  had  sailed  with  him  on  the  last 
vovage.  and  that  he  had  been  detected  in  embezzling 
the  cargo  as  well  as  guilty  of  forgery.  It  was  necessary, 
therefore,  as  there  was  no  alternative  but  to  keep  him, 


iiii<ifiiiiM«'*iii"'~""~ 


LIFE    ON  THE    OCEAN. 


308 


h  a  crew  and  ofH- 
red  no  little  firm- 
ish  and  maintain 
ed  this  was   not 
lorneward  bound 
^h  the  agency  of 
stated.    Although 
It  witli  the  duties 
iTos  taken  with  re- 
to  the  comfort  and 
•ther,  no  man  was 
yet  notwithstand- 
lioir  welfare,  there 
uiifestod  anything 
this  the  sliip  was 
y,  and  scarcely  a 
)ar  or  some  of  the 
r  a  passage  of  one 
II  Uatavia  and  an- 
inber  of  American 
rgoes.    As  soon  os 
1,  such  as  getting 
3;  down  the  yards, 
he  sailors  from  the 
paired  to  the  shore 
n  the  boat ;  a  pro- 
reservation  of  the 
iustomary  for  mas- 
ir  residences  about 
lone  for  the  preser- 
ith  but  little  extra 
mess  is  necessarily 
B  a  caniage  always 

wrt  ship,  1  learned 
th  him  on  the  last 
cted  in  embezzling 
It  was  necessary, 
e  but  to  keep  him, 


to  use  great  precaution,  and  kcop  a  good  look-out  up- 
on his  condtict.  Consequently,  I  took  u  irKMnorandum 
of  all  my  provisions,  stores,  «fce.  and  obliged  in  to  ren- 
der a  strict  account  of  all  the  eximnditunis,  and  when- 
ever the  least  particle  of  any  i)orti()n  of  the  cargo  was 
sent  off,  a  rocoi[)t  for  the  sairu;  was  always  rnquircd.  In 
this  way  I  monaged  to  keep  him  tolerably  honest.  We 
lay  hero  nearly  two  months  and  a  half.  Tins  crow  with 
the  exception  of  ono  man,  who  was  placed  in  tho  hospi- 
tal, were  kept  in  good  health.  I  had  conipletod  the  pur- 
chases and  shipping  of  the  cargo,  and  the  ship  was  now 
ready  to  proceed  on  her  homuward  bound  j)assagc  ;  but 
as  tho  seaman  who  had  boon  sent  to  tho  hospital  was 
considered  dangerously  ill,  another  was  shipped  in  his 
place. 

On  the  23d  of  September,  1819,  wc  got  under  way 
from  Batavia  roads  and  stood  down  the  Straits  of  Sunda. 
In  passing  Anjer  roads  we  were  l)oardcd  by  a  boat  be- 
longing to  the  United  Slates  Frigate  Constellation, 
which  lay  to  an  anchor  in  the  roads.  From  her  wo  re- 
ceived despatches  as  well  as  many  hearty  good  wishes 
for  our  safe  and  speedy  passage.  The  weather  now  be- 
came veiy  squally,  and  we  did  not  succeed  in  getting 
clear  of  the  Straits  until  the  28lh,  and  thus  our  troubles 
had  rot  only  commenced  but  from  this  time  they  began 
to  muUiply  upon  us.  Wo  had  no  sooner  succeeded  in 
gaining  an  omng  froin  the  Straits  than  four  of  the  best 
seamen  were  taken  down  with  fever  and  dysentery. 
The  remainder  of  the  crew  were  otherwise  much  debili- 
tated and  weakened  from  the  excessive  heat  always  pe- 
culiar to  those  climes.  Day  after  day  rolled  away  with- 
out any  material  alteration,  except  that  one  and  another 
were  alternately  struck  down  with  disease.  We  had 
succeeded  in  reaching  the  length  of  the  east  end  of 
Madagascar,  when  our  condition  as  regarded  the  health 
and  strength  of  the  crew  was  truly  deplorable  •,  they 
were  all  completely  overcome,  and  I  shall  not  forget  a. 
scene  which  took  place  on  a  beautiful  moonlight  night, 
about  this  period.    The  ship  was  running  along  at  the 


^^^immmidi^HVt*n:»»mitM0fi 


il 


mi 


fiL 


306 


LIFE   ON  THE   OCEAN. 


rate  of  seven  knots,  with  studding-sails  set  below  and 
aloft ;  nought  was  to  be  seen  save  a  brilliant  moon  per- 
forming slowly  and  yilently  her  majestic  rounds,  with 
here  and  there  a  bright  star  or  planet,  which  seemed  to 
vie  with  each  other  in  sparkling  refulgence  ;  and  the 
blue  sky  which  appeared  to  meet  and  kiss  the  fathom- 
less waters  ;  not  a  sound  was  heard  except  the  dashing 
foam  on  the  ship's  bows  as  she  bounded  o'er  the  wave, 
or  the  low  tones  of  the  debilitated  seamen  on  the  fore- 
castle, recounting  some  ghostly  tale  or  bewailing  the 
condition  of  their  sick  shipmates.  It  was  a  moment 
when  every  other  thought  and  reflection  was  hushed 
and  absorbed  with  the  sublimity  and  grandeur  of  the 
whole  scene.  Looking  upw.-ird  and  around  I  neither 
saw,  felt  nor  contemplated  anything  but  the  power  and 
immensity  of  God.  A  solemn  stillness  pervaded  the 
ship,  interrupted  only  at  intervals  by  the  low  groans  of 
the  sick  and  the  dying,  for  the  life  of  poor  Jack  Brown— 
and  a  better  or  truer  sailor  never  handled  a  marlin- 
spike — ^was  fast  ebbing  away.  I  had  exerted  all  my 
skill  in  the  administering  of  remedies,  and  every  possi- 
ble care  was  taken  of  him,  as  well  as  the  others,  but  his 
strength  had  sunk  under  a  violent  dysentery.  At  eight 
p.  M.  I  repaired  to  the  forecastle  as  usual,  to  bestow 
some  little  kindnesses  and  nourishment  to  the  sick.  I 
found  poor  Jack  with  his  face  towards  the  side  of  the 
ship,  breathing  hard. 

"How  do  you  do  now.  Jack  ?"  said  I.  With  great 
difficulty  and  with  my  £issistance  he  turned  his  face 
toward  me,  and  after  the  fatigue  occasioned  by  tliis 
exertion,  he  said  in  a  low  hollow  voice — 

"Captain,  I  am  a  dying  man;"  and  after  another 
strong  effort  he  continued — ^"I  have  a  mother  now  liv- 
ing in  England,  God  bless  her!  I  have  been  a  sad 
fellow,  sir — she  taught  me  to  read  the  Bible,  and  say 
my  prayers,  and  gave  me  much  good  advice ;  and  she 
often  would  cay  to  me,  don't  forget  the  advice  of  her 
who  never  forgets  to  pray  for  you." 

Here  the  big  tears  chased  each  other  in  rapid  succes* 
sion  fiom  the  dying  eyes  of  poor  Jack. 


.'Ji 


fciHWi'Miw  I    -ara^-fl*-— ■ 


;J*f|^'"5A^  *,*K*f;-tv^-4 


OCEAN. 

iding-sails  set  below  and 
ave  a  brilliant  moon  per- 
}r  majestic  rounds,  with 
planet,  which  seemed  to 
ing  refulgence  ;  and  the 
leet  and  kiss  the  fathom- 
leard  except  the  dashing 
I  bounded  o'er  the  wave, 
ated  seamen  on  the  fore- 
ly  tale  or  bewailing  the 
ites.    It  was  a  moment 
d  reflection  was  hushed 
lity  and  grandeur  of  the 
rd  and  around  I  neither 
thing  but  the  power  and 
n  stillness  pervaded  the 
'als  by  the  low  groans  of 
life  of  poor  Jack  Brown-— 
lever  handled  a  marUn- 
,    I  had  exerted  all  my 
emedies,  and  every  possi- 
vell  as  the  others,  but  his 
lent  dysentery.    At  eight 
astle  as  usual,  to  bestow 
urishment  to  the  sick.    I 
ce  towards  the  side  of  the 

^k?»  said  I.  With  great 
tance  he  turned  his  face 
tigue  occasioned  by  this 
ow  voice — 

nan,"  and  after  another 
I  have  a  mother  now  liv- 
her!  I  have  been  a  sad 
)  read  the  Bible,  and  say 
ch  good  advice ;  and  she 
t  forget  the  advice  of  her 
you." 

lach  other  in  rapid  succes- 
oor  Jack. 


LIFfi   ON  THE  OCEAN. 

«0h  my  mother,"  exclaimed  he,  "could  thy  dying 
son  live  but  to  make  amends  for  all  the  pain  and 
suffering  he  has  given  thee !  Oh  could  I  but  receive  a 
mother's  blessing  before  I  die!" 

Nature  at  this  moment  gave  way  and  he  sunk  ex- 
hausted on  the  pillow,  under  the  great  effort  he  had 
made.  The  scene  was  too  much  for  me ;  I  found  the 
muscles  of  my  face  and  especially  my  eyes  relaxing, 
and  involuntarily  turning- away  from  the  berth,  would 
have  given  him  some  spiritual  consolation,  but  alas  I 
was  not  at  that  period  competent  to  do  so.  After  a 
pause  of  a  few  minutes  he  recovered  himself,  and 
beckoned  me  again  to  his  side.  Putting  my  ear  near 
to  his  mouth,  he  begged  in  a  low  tremulous  tone,  to  be 
placed  underneath  the  forescuttle  no  that  he  might 
look  upon  the  blue  sky,  and  behold  the  stars  ;  the  re- 
quest was  immediately  granted  him,  and  he  was  placed 
in  the  chosen  position,  and  for  two  hours  steadfastly 
gazed  on  the  heavens,  occasionally  repeating  the  be- 
loved name  of  mother.  At  11  p.  m.  his  sight  failed,  and 
nature  was  Avearing  away  apace;  the  dim  light  was 
flickering  in  the  socket  in  readiness  to  expire  at  every 
moment.  A  few  minutes  before  12  o'clock  he  made  a 
slight  movement  as  if  to  speak.  I  again  placed  my  ear 
near  to  his  mouth,  he  murmured  out,  "Oh  my  mother !" 
These  were  his  last  words,  for  just  as  the  bell  tolled  the 
hour  of  midnight,  the  spirit  of  poor  Jack  took  its  ever- 
lasting flight. 

Then  you  might  have  seen  a  gathering  group  of 
sailors  around  his  cold  remains,  bubdued  and  broken  in 
spirit,  eager  to  perform  the  last  sad  offices  to  a  departed 
shipmate.  Poor  Jack,  he  was  washed,  shaved,  and 
dressed  in  his  best  suit,  and  carefully  though  strongly 
sewed  up  in  his  hammock,  and  neatly  lashed  with 
close  hitches,  so  as  to  secure  the  body  in  its  nalajl 
shroud ;  afl^er  which  it  was  talcen  on  deck  and  laid  in 
the  launch  until  the  time  of  burial.  The  next  day  the 
sun  rose  into  a  perfectly  clear  and  cloudless  sky,  and 
over  the  broad  expanse  of  waters  nothing  was  to  be 


),:* 


MUMI 


jufi,j4])  ■JD.i^Wi'^ifqWWWP 


308 


LIFE   ON  THE   OCEAN. 


If 


seen  but  an  unraffled  sea,  and  now  and  then  a  sea- 
srull  or  a  mother  Carey's  chicken  skimming  the  swel- 
ling  surface,  the  only  proof  that  we  were  not  alone  in 
creation's  expanse.     There  was  an  air  of  profound  sor- 
row and  melancholy  reigning    throughout  the  ship. 
Here  lay  the  cold  remains  of  poor  Jack,  and  in  the 
forecastle  languished  three  others  so  ill  that  we  knew 
not  what  hour  they   would  share   the   fate  ot  their 
departed  shipmate.     It  was  indeed  an  hour  of  sadness, 
when  the   ship  was  hove  to,  to  perform  the  rites  ot 
burial.    All  hands  that  were  able  to  come  on  deck,  took 
their  stations  forward  of  thn  gangway ;   they  were  all 
tidy  and  dressed  in  their  best  rig;  the  stars  and  stripes 
were  run  up  half-mast,  the  corpse  with  a  bag  ot  shot 
tied  at  the  foot  of  the  hammock  was  placed  on  a  board 
at  the  gangway,  after  which  thirteen  minute  guns  were 
fired,  and  then  commenced  the  reading  of  the  funeral 
service  of  the  Episcopal  Church.     It  was  a  moment 
when  all  the  finer  feelings  of  the  soul  were  brought  into 
play ;  the  stout  hearts  and  rigid  muscles  of  men  who 
had  never  flinched  in  storm  or  battle  gave  way  in  sym- 
pathetic  woe.    There  was  a  moment's  pause  as  I  came 
to  the  period  preceding  the  sentence  "we  commit  his 
body,"  &c.  1  involuntarily  ceased  reading  as  I  heard  a 
deep  groan  from  an  old  sailor.     The   sentence  was 
finished,  a  deep  splash  was  heard,  and  the  body  of 
poor  Jack  sunk  beneath  the  blue  wave,  there  to  rest 
until  the  sea  shall  roll  its  millions  to  the  shore. 

After  this  mournful  ceremony  was  over,  all  sail  was 
acain  made,  and  we  stood  on  our  course  without  know- 
ing however,  how  soon  the  same  melancholy  duty 
would  again  have  to  be  performed  to  some  other  inmate 

of  the  ship.  „  ,    ,  '      .   ,  ^ .        ^ 

The  weather  continued  fine  and  the  wind  fair,  and 
as  I  was  much  worn  down  with  the  fatigue  of  the  last 
few  days,  and  especially  as  I  felt  an  unusual  degree  of 
sadness,  I  concluded  to  turn  in,  hoping  thereby  to  get 
my  mind  relieved,  as  well  as  my  body  refreshed.  1  he 
scenes  of  this  day  had  made  a  deep  impression  on  me, 


M(,»^«WlwiW.»  iW>ft»fii-»i*  ' 


and  then  a  sea- 
imming  the  swel- 
were  not  alone  in 
ir  of  profound  sor- 
ughout  the  ship. 
Jack,  and  in  the 
» ill  that  we  knew 
the  fate  of  their 
1  hour  of  sadness, 
rform  the  rites  of 
ome  on  deck,  took 
ay  -,   they  were  all 
e  stars  and  stripes 
ivith  a  bag  of  shot 
placed  on  a  board 
minute  guns  were 
ing  of  the  funeral 
It  was  a  moment 
were  brought  into 
ascles  of  men  who 
gave  way  in  sym- 
l's  pause  as  I  carrie 
e  "we  commit  his 
jading  as  I  heard  a 
Vhe   sentence  was 
and  the  body  of 
vave,  there  to  rest 
the  shore. 
s  over,  all  sail  was 
irse  without  know- 
melancholy  duty 
some  other  inmate 

the  wind  fair,  and 
1  fatigue  of  the  last 
I  unusual  degree  of 
ping  thereby  toget 
dy  refreshed.  The 
>  impression  on  me. 


LIFE   ON  THE   COEAN. 


309 


and  I  deeply  reflected  upon  the  necessity  of  being  pre- 
pared for  the  solemn  and  awful  event,  to  which  I  had 
been  an  eye  witness.  I  conceived,  also  within  myself, 
that  I  was  not  only  master  of  a  ship,  but  being  head  to 
a  family,  I  was  called  upon  at  least  to  set  an  example 
that  should  be  worthy  of  imitation.  With  these  feel- 
ings I  laid  mc  down  to  rest,  and  soon  fell  into  a  deep 
sleep,  from  which  I  was  roused  by  a  tremendous  noige 
and  crash,  as  if  the  ship  had  run  high  and  dry  upon 
ledges  of  rocks.  I  sprang  on  deck  and  to  my  incon- 
ceivable astonishment,  the  main-topmast  was  gone  close 
by  the  cap,  and  there  was  the  topsail,  topmast  studding- 
sail,  top-gailantsaij ,  and  top-gallant-studdingsail  and  royal, 
with  yards,  masts  and  rigging,  all  fallen  forward,  carrying 
away  the  light  spars  in  their  train,  and  splitting  the 
fore-topsail  in  a  hundred  pieces  ;  here  now  was  work  for 
a  weak  and  debilitated  crew.  However,  it  was  no  time 
for  flinching.  Every  man  on  board  that  was  able,  set  to 
with  a  will.  Such,  however,  was  the  enfeebled  condi- 
tion of  the  crew,  that  it  was  six  days  before  w^e  got  the 
wreck  cleared  away,  and  another  topmast  aloft  and  the 
sail  set.  As  we  were  now  on  Lagullas  bank,  the  light 
spars  were  not  sent  up,  especially  as  the  late  fatigue 
had  broken  down  the  crew  both  in  body  and  spirit. 
Eight  men  were  now  sick  and  oS  duty,  and  it  nearly 
became  a  matter  of  impossibility  to  work  the  ship.  In 
this  sad  predicament  we  fell  in  with  a  large  ship,  which 
proved  to  be  an  English  East  Indiaman,  bound  into  the 
Cape  of  Gk)od  Hope.  Seeing  our  distressed  condition, 
she  bore  down  and  very  humanely  ofliered  to  render  us 
any  assistance  we  might  want.  I  cheerfully  accepted 
the  offer  and  said  if  they  would  put  half  a  dozen  men 
on  board  of  my  ship,  I  would  endeavour  to  work  her 
into  the  Cape  also.  The  men  were  sent  on  board 
immediately,  and  in  two  days  we  were  both  safely 
anchored  in  Table  Bay.  Our  sick,  six  in  number, 
were  all  taken  on  shore  and  jilaced  in  comfortable 
quarters,  under  the  care  of  an  eminent  physician.  But 
as  it  W98  his  opinion,  that  the  men  would  not  be 
27 


!iS-E 


m 


310 


LIFE   ON  THE   OCEAN. 


mm 


■"ir 
.Jii- 


sufficiently  recovered  to  go  on  board  in  less  man  six 
weeks,  I  concluded  to  pay  them  off  and  ship  others  m 
their  place,  and  proceed  without  delay  on  my  voyage. 
This  was  accordingly  done,  and  after  filling  up  our 
water  casks  and  laying  in  a  good  stock  of  fresh  meat 
and  vegetables,  we  weighed  anchor,  made  all  sail,  ana 
stood  to  sea,  with  a  fine  south-east  trade  wind,  on  the 
13th  of  November.  „ 

I  pause  here  in  the  narrative,  to  pay  a  tribute  ol 
gratitude  to  Captain  Wells  of  the  English  East  India 
ship  Warrington.  In  every  respect  he  acted  as  a  gentle- 
man, and  but  for  his  kind  interposition  and  promptness 
in  timely  assisting  me  with  his  men,  it  Avould  not  have 
been  possible  for  us  in  our  debilitated  condition  to  have 
worked  the  ship  into  the  Cape.  And  further,  I  could 
not  press  upon  him  to  accept  any  remuneraton  for  the 
^at  assistance  he  rendered  to  us.  His  generosrty  and 
unaffected  humanity  proved  him  at  once  to  be  a  whole 
souled  sailor  and  a  gentleman  at  heart;  and  as  such  I 
shall  ever  remember  him  with  gratitude. 

As  usual  "t  this  season  of  the  year,  the  south-east 
trade  winds  blew  fresh  and  steadily  at  one  point,  and 
noniing  of  great  importance  transpired  to  interrupt  the 
usual  sameness  of  a  sea-life  in  fine  weather  and  a  long 
course  of  fair  winds.    During  the  passage  down  to  the 
Une  I  discovered  for  the  first  time  a  defect  m  my  sight, 
I  believed  at  first  it  was  temporary,  owing  perhaps  to 
some  obscurity  of  light  in  the  cabin;  this  however 
proved  not  to  be  the  case.  The  defect  was  real,  attnbu- 
table  to  the  fact  that  I  had  measured  the  distances  of 
celestial  objects,  in  order  to  determine  tiie  longitude 
with  an  inverted  telescope.     This  work  being  often 
repeated,  of  course  it  was  laborious  to  the  organs  of 
vmon ;  this  together  with  much  exposure  lu  hot  climates 
affected  the  optic  nerve.   The  diminution  of  sight,  how- 
ever, at  this  period  was  so  trivial  that  I  felt  but  httle  alaym 
at  ulterior  consequences.  •      ^  i 

On  the  18th  of  December  we  crossed  the  equinoctial 
line,  in  35°  west  longitude,  and  it  was  with  great  pam 


WlH«*K«-ji«"->^- 


i  i 


LIFE   ON  THE   OCEilN. 


311 


.  in  less  man  six 
ind  ship  others  in 
y  on  my  voyage, 
ter  filling  up  our 
)ck  of  fresh  meat 
nade  all  sail,  and 
trade  wind,  on  the 

I  pay  a  tribute  of 
jnglish  East  India 
!  acted  as  a  gentle- 
n  and  promptness 
it  Avould  not  have 
I  condition  to  have 
id  further,  I  could 
muneraton  for  the 
jis  generosity  and 
once  to  be  a  whole 
irt  -,  and  as  such  I 
ide. 

ear,  the  south-east 
r  at  one  point,  and 
red  to  interrupt  the 
weather  and  a  long 
issage  down  to  the 
defect  in  my  sight, 
r,  owing  perhaps  to 
bin ;  this  however 
!ct  was  real,  attribu- 
•ed  the  distances  of 
nine  tije  longitude 
work  being  often 
IS  to  the  organs  of 
)sure  in  hot  climates 
ution  of  sight,  how- 
J  felt  but  little  alarm 

ssed  the  equinoctial 
was  with  great  pain 


that  I  ascertained  as  truth  what  I  had  sometime  conjec- 
tured, viz.  that  the  sailors  whom  I  had  shipped  at  the 
Cape  were  English  man-of-war's  men,  exceedmgly  mu- 
tinous in  their  conduct,  and  what  was  still  worse!  found 
that  the  mate  was  partially  leagued  with  them.    It  was, 
however,  fortunate  for  me,  that  I  had  a  passenger  from 
the  Cape,  a  young  Englishman,  stout  and  active,  and  of 
great  muscular  strength.     In  bin    I  could  place  the 
utmost  reliance,  he  promising  to  stand  by  me  in  every 
emergency.     In  consequence  of  the  unofficer-like  con- 
duct of  the  mates,  matters  continued  to  go  on  worse  and 
worse,  until  at  length,  the  disrespect  and  ignorance  of 
duty  of  the  second  mate  authorized  me  to  break  him 
and  confine  him  to  his  state-room.    Thenceforward 
from  indications  shown  by  tlie  men,  I  was  every  day  in 
expectation  that  an  open  mutiny  would  break  out.     In 
this  event  I  could  rely  upon  none  except  my  young 
English  friend,  and  the  cook  and  steward.     Of  course 
there  would  be  a  fearful  odds  against  us.     I  was  not 
disappointed  in  my  conjecture.     It  seems  on  the  25th 
of  December,  Christmas,  was  the  time  set  apart  by  them 
to  have  a  blow-out,  as  tliey  called  it,  having  saved  their 
allowance  of  grog  for  a  number  of  days  for  this  express 
purpose.    My  usual  custom  was  to  have  no  work  done 
either  on  the  Fourth  of  July  or  Christmas  day,  but  that 
which  was  actually  necessary,  such  as  making  or  taking 
in  sail,  bracing  the  yards,  &c.    So  that  on  this  day  after 
the  decks  were  washed  and  the  sails  trimmed,  the  men 
were  given  to  understand  that  all  unnecessary  work 
would  be  dispensed  with  that  day.    Every  thing  was 
quiet  until  the  hour  of  dinner,  at  which  time  the  grog 
went  round,  and  as  a  consequence,  boisterous  mirth  in- 
creased very  soon  to  confusion,  and  the  noise  becaine 
so  great  that  it  was  necessary  to  put  a  stop  to  it    About 
this  period  the  wind  hauled,  and  I  ordered  the  mate  for- 
ward to  turn  the  hands  up  to  trim  the  yards,  set  stud- 
dingsails,  &c.    He  went  and  quickly  returned  with  the 
answer,  that  they  refused  to  do  their  duty :  I  saw  that 
the  crisis  had  now  arrived.    Arming  myself,  therefore, 


Hi 


& 


ijf 


312 


LIFE  ON  THE   OOBAX. 


with  a  brace  of  pistols,  the  young  Englishihan  doing 
the  same,  and  giving  the  cook  and  stewwd  their  orders, 
I  jumped  forward,  and  ordered  the  men  on  deck.  They 
all  rushed  up  in  a  body  and  with  oaths  and  impreca- 
tions swore  they  would  do  no  more  work  unUl  the 
second  mate  was  put  on  duty.  1  once  more  ordered  them 
to  brace  yards,  and  on  their  refusal  I  fired  a  pistol  over 
their  heads,  when  they  immediately  rushed  to  the  quarter 
deck ;  but  here  they  were  met  by  my  friend,  the  En- 

?lishman,  and  the  cook  and  steward  with  handspikes, 
discharged  my  second  pistol,  which  took  effect  m  the 
fleshy  part  of  the  arm  of  one  of  the  villains  and  disabled 
him.  My  friend  had  discharged  both  of  his  pistols 
without  effect ;  not  so  his  fists,  for  they  were  better  than 
any  pistois  ■,  whenever  a  man  came  within  the  reach  of 
his  arm,  be  was  sure  to  be  knocked  down.  The  cook 
and  steward  played  their  part  well,  so  that  in  about  fif- 
teen minutes  the  mutineers  begged  for  quarters,  and 
thus  we  completely  subdued  the  mutiny  without  the 
aid  of  the  chief  mate,  who  during  the  whole  of  this  law- 
less riot,  stood  a  silent  and  quiet  spec' itor  on  the  quarter 
deck,  puv{X)sing,  as  I  sup]X)sed,  to  join  the  victorious 

Earty,  which  ever  it  might  be.  The  men  now  were  quite 
umbled  and  returnctl  to  their  duty  with  submission. 
They  promised  if  this  affair  was  overlooked  that,  for  the 
future,  they  would  give  no  occasion  for  a  repetition  of 
the  same  puuishnieni.  In  reply  I  stated  that  their  be- 
haviour  and  good  conduct  should  govern  me  in  my 
future  course  towards  them.  During  the  remainder  of 
the  passage  they  conducted  themselves- with  propriety, 
and  although  we  encountered  intense  cold  weather  and 
many  hard  gales,  yet  every  man  did  his  duty  cheerfully 
without  murmuring  or  flinching.  On  the  second  day 
of  February,  1820,  we  took  a  Chesapeake  pilot  and  en- 
tered the  bay  with  a  fine  southerly  wind,  which  carried 
us  up.  On  the  3d  at  2  p.  at.  let  go  our  anchor  in  Balti- 
more harbour,  after  a  most  tedious  and  unpleasaiit'pas- 
sage  of  one  hundred  and  thirty-three  days. 


aglishihan  doing 
rtuxl  their  orders, 
on  deck.  They 
ths  and  impreca- 
work  until  the 
ore  ordered  them 
ired  a  pistol  over 
led  to  the  quarter 
T  friend,  the  En- 
ivith  handspikes, 
took  effect  in  the 
ains  and  disabled 
h  of  his  pistols 
r  were  better  than 
ithin  the  reach  of 
9wn.  The  cook 
that  in  about  fif- 
for  quarters,  and 
tiny  without  the 
vhole  of  this  law- 
tor  on  the  quarter 
(in  the  victorious 
n  now  were  quite 
with  submission, 
oked  that,  for  the 
for  a  repetition  of 
ited  that  their  be- 
overn  me  in  my 
the  remainder  of 
j»with  propriety, 
cold  weather  and 
is  duty  cheerfully 
n  the  second  day 
iake  pilot  and  en- 
id,  which  carried 
•  anchor  in  Balti-, 
]  unpleasaiit'pas^ 
lays. 


CHAPTER  XXVIII. 


I5DU     VOTAGE     CONCLJUED — VOYAtJE     TO     NEW     ORLEAITS     AWD 
LIVERPOOL — COAiJVCT   OF    CAPTAIN   B.  JcO.   &0. 

It  may  be  well  said  that  a  sailor's  life  is  a  continued 
scene  of  excitement.  When  the  vessel  which  carries 
him  over  the  trackless  deep,  leaves  the  land  of  his  birth 
and  the  objects  of  his  affection  and  solicitude,  then  fol- 
low the  pangs  of  separation.  When  homeward  bound 
there  are  a  thousand  emotions  of  pleasure,  springing 
up  in  his  bosom  which  none  but  a  seaman  can  realize, 
f^ir  weather  and  foul,  storms  and  calms,  all  conspire  to 
keep  his  mind  in  an  uninterrupted  state  of  agitation. 
Thus  when  on  shore,  unless  immersed  into  what  he 
terms  pleasure,  he  is  quickly  satiated  and  sighs  again  to 
be  rolling  over  his  chosen  element. 

Scarcely  had  the  greetings  of  affection  (after  an  ab- 
sence of  one  year)  subsided,  and  the  usual  and  custom-' 
ary  salutations  of  friendship  passed  away,  ere  I  was 
again  summoned  to  get  the  ship  in  readiness  to  proceed 
to  Amsterdam  without  delay  with  the  same  cargo.  It 
may  be  supposed  that  after  so  long  an  absence,  it  was  no 
ordinary  trial  so  soon  to  part  with  my  family  and  friends, 
but  a  sailor  has  no  command  of  his  time,  neither  can  he 
choose  such  voyages  as  would  be  most  agreeable  to  Ms 
inclination.  If  this  were  the  case,  one  hsdf  of  his  days 
would  be  spent  on  shore  without  employment 

The  ninui  day  after  my  arrival  from  the  East,  Indies, 
I  was  again  in  complete  readiness  for  sea,  with  an  entire 
new  crew. 

On  the  13th  of  February,  after  exchanging  the  most 
painful  adjjus  with  my  fiimilyand  friends,  with  a  heavy 
heart,  I  found  myself  on  the  ship's  quarter  deck.  The 
27» 


^-r^^^^i^HB^HiH^ifa^^i^MB^d^U&i£^£L  - 


,r 


314 


LIFE   ON  THE   OCEAN. 


topsails  and  topgallant-sails  being  hoisted  to  the  mast- 
head, the  fasts  were  cist  off,  in  a  few  minutes  she  was 
rapidly  sailing  over  the  smooth  water,  down  the  river, 
with  a  fresh  westerly  wind.    In  two  days  from  this 
period,  we  were  clear  of  the  land,  scudding  away  to  the 
eastward  with  a  heavy  north-west  gale.    It  maybe  suf- 
ficient to  say  in  regard  to  this  passage,  that  we  had  an 
uninterrupted  continuation  of  gales,  high-seas  and  heavy 
boisterous  wcatlier;   our  decks   were   swept,  the  long 
boat  was  stove,  many  of  the  sails  were  sp'it  to  pieces, 
and  the  fore-topmast  and  the  fore-yard  we:  i  sprung,  and 
the  jib-boom  carried  away  close  to  the  cap.     Such  was 
the  extreme  state  of  the  weather,  it  being  intensely  cold 
withal,  that  we  had  to  subsist  on  raw  provisions  for 
many  days  ;  the  sea  making  almost  a  continual  breach 
over  us,  it  was  impossible  to  cook  or  keep  a  fire  in  the 
caboose.     In  twenty-iive  days,  to  our  great  satisfaction, 
we  got  soundings  in  the. chops  of  theEnghsh  Channel, 
at  which  time  the  weather  moderated  ;  and  in  twenty- 
six  hours  we  took  a  North  Sea  pilot  off  Dover.     The 
wind  continuing  fair,  we  passed  the  Goodwin  sands, 
and  in  four  days  were  safely  moored  alongside  the  Hol- 
der, in  the  port  of  AmEterdam.    After  the  usual  forms  of 
entry,  »fcc.  were  made,  we  commenced  to  discharge  our 
cargo  forthwith,  which  was  all  completed  and  tlie  ship 
ballasted  and  ready  for  sea  in  sixteen  days. 

On  the  lltb  of  April,  got  under  way  from  the  Texel 
Roads,  (having  lain  to  an  anchor  wind-bound  for  eight 
'  days)  and  stood  to  sea.  We  had  not  proceeded  far 
down  the  North  Sea  before  the  wind  hauled  round  to 
the  westward,  bringing  fresh  gales  and  rain,  which 
lasted  eight  days ;  after  which  the  wind  veered  to  the 
eastward  and  gave  us  a  fine  run  down  the  channel. 

On  the  22d  of  April,  at  meridian,  a  departure  was 
taken  from  the  Scilly  Isles,  and  at  sunset  they  had  quite 
disappeared,  and  once  more  we  were  upon  the  broad  ex- 
panse of  waters  bounding  over  the  blue  ocean  towards 
our  much  loved  home.  My  mind  had  now  become 
more  deeply  impressed  than  ever  with  the  uature  of  my 


Mittt>Mtivi9\m>»<:- 


HIJi  i|«,iH 


'SSSHH^fft^ 


ited  to  the  mast- 
minutes  she  was 
,  down  the  river, 

days  from  this 
ding  away  to  the 
.  ft  may  be  suf- 
3,  that  we  had  an 
fh-seas  and  heavy 

swept,  the  long 
re  sp'it  to  pieces, 
we:  i  sprung,  and 
3  cap.  Such  was 
iiig  mtensely  cold 
aw  provisions  for 
I  continual  breach 
keep  a  fire  in  the 
great  satisfaction, 
English  Channel, 

•,  and  in  twenty- 
oflf  Dover.  The 
!  Goodwin  sands, 
ilongside  the  Hel- 
the  usual  forms  of 
1  to  discharge  our 
fleted  and  tlie  ship 
days. 

ly  from  the  Texel 
nd- bound  for  eight 
not  proceeded  far 
d  hauled  round  to 
I  and  rain,  which 
wind  veered  to  the 
n  the  channel. 
I,  a  departure  was 
nset  they  had  quite 
upon  the  broad  ex- 
bluc  ocean  towards 

had  now  become 
b  the  uature  of  my 


LIFE   ON  THE   OCEAN. 


perilous  occupation,  liable  every  moment  of  being  launch- 
ed into  eternity.  Of  late  I  had  made  a  constant  practice 
of  reading  the  Scriptures,'and  by  the  light  they  reflected 
upon  my  mind,  I  saw  evidently  that  my  condition  was 
unsafe,  because  I  felt  and  believed  that  I  was  a  sinner, 
Rud  as  such  was  justly  exposed  to  the  wrath  of  God. 
Then  again  the  vast  amount  of  goodness,  forbearance, 
and  long  suflering,  which  had  been  extended  towards 
me,  by  the  Author  of  my  being,  all  strengthened  the  be- 
lief, that  I  was  the  most  ungrateful  of  men.  These  and 
similar  exercises  brought  a  renewal  of  that  deep  convic- 
tion, which  I  had  experienced  on  a  previous  occasion, 
and  I  resolved  if  I  was  spared,  to  lead  a  new  life.  These 
resolutions  once  formed,  I  felt  compai'atively  easier  in 
mind,  especially  as  1  had  latterly,  and  more  particularly 
on  this  voyage,  endeavoured  to  unpress  on  the  minds  o' 
tlie  crew  their  moral  responsibility  to  God  and  to  them- 
selves. It  was  a  source  of  much  satisfaction  to  see  the 
men  generally  engaged  on  the  Sabbath  day  in  reading 
the  Scriptures,  tracts,  &c.  The  general  deportment  of 
the  crew  on  this  passage  was  vastly  ditferent  from  that 
of  any  other  set  of  men  with  whom  I  had  been  connect- 
ed during  the  last  fourteen  years ;  and  without  relaxing 
in  the  least  in  the  discipline  of  the  ship,  the  seamen 
uniformly  obeyed  every  command  cheerfully,  and  dis* 
charged  their  duty  promptly. 

The  vviuus  inclining  to  hang  to  the  northward  and 
westward,  I  resolved  again  to  make  the  southern  pas- 
sage, and  as  nothing  material  transpiring  to  contribute 
additional  interest  to  the  narrative,  I  shall  pass  over 
the  remainder  of  this  passage,  without  giving  a  mo- 
notonous detail,  and  will  carry  the  reader  along  with 
me  to  the  Chesapeake  Bay,  which  was  entered  on  the 
second  day  of  June ;  afterwards  we  had  light  biuffling 
westerly  winds,  which  obliged  us  to  remain  at  anchor 
three  days,  affording  a  fine  opportunity  to  paint,  clean 
and  strip  the  ship  of  all  her  bandages,  so  that  we  might 
enter  port  in  ship-shape  order. 

On  the  6th,  the  wind  coming  in  from  the  southward, 
we  weighed  anchor,  made  all  sail,  and  stood  up  the  bay. 


mi  I 


316 


LIPS   ON  THB   OCBAN. 


In  twenty-six  hours  she  was  made  fast  alongside  the 
wharf  in  the  port  of  Baltimore,  making  the  passage  in 
fifty  days.  Thus  was  the  Efts'.  India  voyage  closed ; 
and  thus  also,  were  ray  services  closed  in  this  employ, 
for  the  following  reasons,  viz.  I  had  neglected  at  the 
commencement  of  the  voyage  to  have  a  written  agree- 
ment  in  regard  to  the  compensation  I  should  have  tor 
transacting  the  business.  Of  course  I  was  entitled  to 
commission,  but  the  owners  tlioughfproner  to  substitute 
the  sum  of  five  hundred  dollars,  instead  of  the  regular 
commission  allowance,  whi^.h  would  have  amounted  to 
three  thousand  five  hundred  dollars.  1  hese  then  are 
the  reasons  why  I  left  the  employ.  Possibly  i^voud 
have  been  for  my  interest  to  have  lemamed,  especially 
as  it  was  not  generally  known  whether  the  merchants 
had  displaced  mo,  or  whether  I  had  left  them  of  my  own 

i  was  not  very  anxious  to  embark  again  immediately, 
for  as  it  will  be  seen,  that  1  had  been  constantly  em- 
ployed for  the  last  two  or  three  years,  and  it  was  but 
natural  that  I  should  feel  a  strong  d«sire  to  remain  on 
shore  with  my  family  for  a  short  time,  to  enjoy  the 
social  and  domestic  comlbrt  of  which  seamen  are  to 
loni?  and  so  frequently  deprived.     Circumstances  now 
transpired  which  are  not  necessary  to  relate,  but  which 
called  upon  me  to  use  every  exertion  not  only  to  sustain 
mv  reputation,  but  to  maintain  the  social  r  *.•  .tions  that  . 
was  bound  to  uphold.    To  remain  idle  was  not  very 
congenial  to  my  temperament  or  mylKJculiar  situatiori  at 
this  time;  consequenHy  employment  was  sought  tor, 
but  not  so  readily  obtained,  because  I  had  a  weight  of 
interest  exerted  against  me  by  my  former  employere, 
which  at  length  obliged  me  to  accept  of  a  first  othcer's 
bewii,  with  a  promise  of  command  at  tlie  expirauon  of 
oiie  voyage.    Accordingly  I  repaired  on  board  the  ship 
H.  and  discharged  the  duties  devolving  on  my  station, 
such  as  taking  in  cargo,  &c.    The  destination  of  this 
voyaee  was  as  follows,  viz.  from  hence  to  New  Orleans, 
and  ftom  thence  to  Liverpool,  to  return  to  Orleans,  and 


^^wjvnpMP 


LIPR   ON  THE   OCBAIV. 


81f 


at  alongside  the 
g  the  passage  ia 

voyage  closed ; 

in  this  employ, 
neglected  at  the 
a  written  agree- 

should  have  for 
I  was  entitled  to 
)per  to  substitute 
id  of  the  regular 
ave  amounted  to 

These  then  are 
*ossil)ly  i^,  would 
lained,  especially 
or  the  merchants 
t  them  of  my  own 

fain  immediately^ 
1  constantly  em- 
i,  and  it  was  but 
sire  to  remain  on 
no,  to  enjoy  the 
h  seamen  are  so 
rcumstances  now 
rolatfc,  but  which 
ot  only  to  sustain 
al  r*!  .tions  that  I 
idle  was  Jiot  very 
iculiar  situation  at 
was  sought  for, 
had  a  weight  of 
brmer  employers, 
)f  a  first  otiicer's 
t  tlie  expiration  of 
on  board  the  ship 
[ig  on  my  station, 
destination  of  this 
e  to  New  Orleans, 
m  to  Orleans,  and 


from  thence  to  Baltimore.  The  ship  being  in  complete 
readiness  with  crew  and  passengers  all  on  board,  we 
sailed  on  the  2d  of  November,  1821. 

I  should  have  passed  by  this  voyage  in  silence,  but 
as  there  are  circumstances  connected  with  it,  diffeient 
from  any  which  have  been  related  in  this  narrative,  I 
shall  give  as  brief  a  detail  as  the  nature  of  those  circum- 
stances will  admit  of,  and  in  doing  so,  I  shall  endeav- 
our to  divest  myself  of  all  prejudice  either  to  the  captain 
or  crew.  Havins,'  a  fine  fresh  north-west  wind,  we  soon 
ran  down  the  Chesapeake  Bay,  discharged  .the  pilot, 
and  wont  to  sea  November  6th.  By  this  time  I  had  an 
opportunity  to  make  my  observations  on  those  with 
whom  I  was  to  bo  associated  for  at  least  eight  months ; 
and  the  result  was  not  of  the  most  pleasing  kind. 
Captain  B.  nn  IriyJiman  by  birth,  was  about  fifty  years 
of  age,  and  although  he  had  followed  the  sea  for  many 
years,  yet  ho  was  not  a  sailor.  Frond  and  overbearing, 
he  endeavoured  to  keep  his  officers  at  a  distance,  and  as 
to  the  sailors,  in  his  estimation,  they  were  but  little 
elevated  above  the  brute  creation.  The  height  of  his 
ambition  appeared  to  he  in  painting,  scrubbing  the 
decks  with  holystones,  and  enn>loying  the  steward  in 
some  trifles,  such  as  cleaning  brass,  tins,  «fec.  He  was 
exceedingly  vain  of  his  own  person,  which  was  short 
and  thick,  stooping  very  much  from  disease  in  the  back, 
with  a  broad  Irish  face,  large  nose,  and  eyes  that 
seemed  ready  to  pop  out  of  his  head,  and  a  mouth 
which  when  spread  occupied  nearly  the  diameter  of  his 
beautiful  face  ;  his  legs  were  short,  and  his  feet  might 
be  fitly  compared  for  beauty  and  symmetry  to  those  of 
a  Liverpool  dray-horse.  Clothed  with  a  little  brief 
authority,  he  exerted  it'  on  all  occasions,  and  his  chief 
delight  appeared  to  be  to  make  the  situation  of  the 
officers  ana  crew  as  unpleasant  as  his  ill  temper  and 
disposition  could  suggest.  As  a  proof  of  this,  irame- . 
diately  after  leaving  the  land,  the  crew  were  put  on  an 
allowance  of  provisions  and  water,  with  orders  to  keep 
all  hands  at  work  during  the  whole  day.    He  endeft' 


j!I 


-n^ 


"•Kfnww"^";^ 


■W 


818 


Lire   ON   THE   OCKAN. 


voureil  to  apo  the  gotitlotnnn  with  the  passengers,  but  it 
was  with  such  an  ill  grace  that  lie  lailed  in  the  attempt, 
and  he  was  dcspisnd  by  thorn.     1  shall  leave  hnn  for 
the  present  and  say  so.ncthing  in  relation  to  the  second 
otlicer  and  crew.     Mr.  N.  was  a  young  man,  just  out  ot 
his  time  in  seamanship,  was  m.t  above  mediocrity,  in- 
dolent in  dismsition,  cxccediimly  illiterate,  knew  not 
how  to  govern  himsilf  or  command  others.     I l»e  sea- 
men generally   were  (lis|K)sod  to  bo  obedient,  biit  the 
ungenerous  and  unrouliiig  tioatment  ot  Captain  U.  in- 
duced a  spirit  of  insubordination  and  murmuring,  so 
that  it  WHS  iiot  without  great  dithruUy  that  1  managed 
to  have  the  unjust  orders  of  Captain  U.  executed.     VVo 
had  not  been  many  days  at  sea  bolore  I  discovered  that 
our  noble  commander  knew  very  little  about  navigation, 
in  fact  he  had  run  the  ship  ten  degrees  to  eastvvard  ot 
the  Hole  in  the  Uall,  when  in  its  latitude,  so  that   he 
ship  was  hove  to  three  nights  in  succession,  with  a  lair 
wind  and  fiuo  weather.     The  passengers  now  became 
exceedingly  uneasy,  .and  as  the  owner  s  sou  was  or. 
board,  he  recpicsted  me  to  take  a  lunar  observation,  and 
that  he  would  take  all  rosiHuisibility  on  hiinso  f.   I  com- 
plied with  this  request,  and  determined  the  slup  s  posi- 
tion, which  was  found  to  bo  correct  when  wo  made  the 
land.     It  may  be  supposed  after  this  that  the  passengers 
had  no  more  confidence  in  the  abilities  of  Captain  U.  as 
a  navigator,  for  u|xmi  all   occasions  1  was  consulted, 
which  bv  the  way  proved  to  be  most  unfortunate,  tor  all 
the  malevolent  passions  of  this  little  great  man  were 
levelled  at  mo.    But  he  soon  found  his  vituperation  was 
entirely  harmless ;   and  when  he  ascertaiuod  that  he 
could  eflfect  his  purposes  of  revenge  in  no  other  way,  lie 
accused  me  of  drunkenness.    This  foul  slander  was 
easily  rebutted,  fo-  he  was  proved  to  be  a  liar  by  the 
passengers  and  his  own  steward,  and  the  most  sovereign 
contempt  fell  upon  himself.  ^,      ^  ,  ;„  „«„ 

Immediately  after  our  arrival  at  Now  Orleans,  in  con- 
sequence  uf  the  cruel  usage  towards  the  crew  they  all 
deserted.    I  demanded  my  discb«igo— but  to  this  tne 


!  passengers,  but  it 
led  ill  the  attempt, 
I  ml  I  leave  him  for 
ilioii  to  the  second 
ig  man,  just  out  ot 
»vo  mediocrity,  in- 
literate,  knew  not 
others.     Tiie  sea- 
obedient,  but  the 
;  of  Captain  B.  in- 
ud  nuirmuring,  so 
ly  that  1  managed 
H.  oxeciitcd.     VV  'J 
10  I  discc^vered  that 
c!  about  navigation, 
reos  to  eastward  of 
latitude,  so  that  the 
jcession,  with  a  fair 
iigers  now  became 
ivncr's  son  was  on 
lar  observation,  and 
on  iiimsolf.   I  com- 
ned  the  sldjj's  posi- 
when  we  made  the 
that  the  passengers 
ties  of  Captain  B.  as 
s  1  was  consulted. 
It  unfortunate,  for  all 
ttle  great  man  were 
his  vituperation  was 
ascertained  that  he 
in  no  other  way,  he 
is  foul  slander  was 
to  be  a  liar  by  the 
id  the  most  sovereign 

«Iew  Orleans,  in  con- 
rdx  the  crew  they  all 
iigo— but  to  this  the 


fr?f|W&fl^ 


LIFE   ON  THR   OCEAN. 


319 


I 


owner's  son  (who  'vns  the  con.signee)  would  not  listen, 
assuring  nie  that  if  I  would  jK(r(i>nii  this  voyage  in  the 
ship,  i  should  have  tho  coniiuiuid  on  her  return  ;  with 
this  assurance  in  my  favour  I  <'  tisonted. 

She  was  loaded  with  rottoii  )i)r  Livi'rjKiol,  and  sailed 
Jaiuuiry  7th,  iH'i'i.  After  the  most  oxtrnordinary  sfiort 
)assn2CoftW('iity-f!)iir(lays  wo  arrived  in  fiiveriiool  dock. 
l)uring  the  .vliolo  of  this  passage  Captiiiii  11.  and  myself 
did  not  exchango  a  sinu:lo  word  tntfi-rhor,  except  as  he 
gave  some  onler  pcrtaininc^  to  duty,  it  was  answered 
by  the  siiripUi  innnosyllahln  of  yes  or  no.  Tho  men 
were  used  uion;  liki;  yiilloy-slaves  than  froemun.  Be- 
sides workin-,'  hard  all  day,  they  were  fr('(|U('ntly  cailad 
lip  two  or  three  times  in  their  wat<'li  below  at  tiight, 
wc  having  r.ontintial  qalcs  and  heavy  weather  to  con- 
tend against.  As  in  New  Orleans,  so  it  \«as  in  l.iver- 
|iool,  tor  we  had  not  been  iti  dock  more  than  twenty- 
finir  hours  hutoro  tho  crew  all  deseiied.  The  ship  was 
discharc'ed,  but  did  not  obtain  a  homeward  freight  until 
March."  Among  other  things  which  came  on  board 
with  the  stores  and  fmniture,  wore  six  holystones, 
Uiree  of  which  had  iron  rings  at  both  ends,  and  weighed 
nearly  two  hundred  piunQs-^  each.  Upon  examination  I 
ascertained  that  wc;  had  barely  beef  and  pork  enough  to 
last  forty  days  ;  this  was  rcpirted  to  tho  Captaui,  when 
he  replied  that  it  was  all  sutlicient. 

March  3.— We  hauled  out  of  dock,  had  a  fine  run 
down  the  Irish  cl'.annel,  and  steered  away  to  the  south- 
ward for  the  Antigua  passage.  The  whole  time  I  spent 
on  board  of  this  ship  thus  far,  had  bn  i  as  disagreerH>e 
as  can  well  be  imagined,  but  the  pa  ,t  could  bear  no 
comparison  with  what  followed.  Eiglu  days  had  scarce- 
ly elapsed  since  our  departure  I'rom  Livertxwl,  when  the 
sailors  were  put  on  short  allowance  of  beef  and  pork ; 
add  to  this  all  hands  were  emjiDyed  two  days  in  the 
week  holystoning  the  decks,  wii'i  these  immense  stones 
before  mentioned,  that  requireu  six  men  to  drag  them 
about.  On  field  days,  all  ilie  spars,  water  casks,  &.c.  were 
unlashed,  and  the  decks  scrubbed  in  iheir  places  ;  and 


■  Mawt^tiow^iriMriiiiitWL.^Taii » »i  j>'4tn  timMji  A'awfa 


liJMWlilMl 


320 


LIFE   ON  THE   OCEAN. 


to  make  up  the  climax  of  drudgery,  as  usual,  all  hands 
were  kept  at  work  during  the  entire  day.  It  may  well 
be  supposed  that  my  situation  was  not  the  most  agree- 
able in  the  world ;  but  a  seaman  can  iuUy  conceive 
what  kind  of  a  time  I  had  of  it,  being  necessarily  oblig- 
ed to  euibrce  llie  orders  of  Captain  B.  Although  from 
my  heart  I  pitied  the  men,  yet  I  was  often  compelled  to 
resoTt  to  severe  chastisement,  in  order  to  get  the  work 
performed.  In  a  word,  to  sum  up  the  character  of 
Captain  B.  he  was  cruel,  overbearing,  mean  and  das- 
tardly. When,  accord'iig  to  his  calculation,  we  were 
to  make  the  isilands  which  form  tlie  Antigua  passage,  he 
was  again  llir  out  of  his  reckoning,  and  hove  the  ship 


to  four  nights  with  a  fair  wind. 


At  length  he  humbled 


himself  and  asked  me  to  take  a  lunar  observation.  I 
complied  with  this  request,  and  according  to  the  result 
we  made  the  land  and  arrived  at  New  Orleans  after  a 
passage  of  forty  days.  As  tlie  ship  was  to  proceed  to 
Baltimore  fortliwitli,  I  deterniinod  to  remain  in  her, 
although  it  might  be  at  the  expense  of  my  feelings  and 
comfort.  As  a  proof  that  I  have  not  exaggerated  in 
reference  to  tlie  character  of  Captain  B.  and  liis  general 
treatment  to  his  men,  it  may  be  sufficient  to  say,  that 
immediately  after  we  made  the  ship  fast  alongside  the 
levee  at  New  Orleans,  every  sailor  left  the  ship. 

On  the  12ih  of  May,  cast  off  from  the  wharf  and  drop- 
ped down  tlie  river,  and  in  thirty  hours  was  again  on 
the  broad  ocean,  homeward  bound.  Nothing  material 
transpired  during  this  passage.  In  fourteen  days  we 
arrived  in  Baltimore  and  made  ftist  alongside  the  whjirf. 

I  am  happy  in  being  able  to  state,  that  during  a  life  of 
fourteen  years  upon  the  ocean,  and  of  course  I  have 
sailed  with  many  commanders  of  various  temperaments, 
the  conduct  of  this  last  man  was  a  manifest  exception  to 
all  the  others  ;  and  it  would  be  no  marvel,  if  such  were 
the  general  character  of  sea  captains,  that  mutiny  and 
insubordination  were  the  general  characteristics  of  sailors. 
This,  however,  is  not  the  case ;  there  are  many,  very 
many  honorable  exceptions,  and  I  have  never  known  a 


EAN. 

jr,  as  usual,  all  hands 
ire  day.     It  may  well 
IS  not  the  most  agree- 
in  can  i'uUy  conceive 
jing  necessarily  oblig- 
iu  13.     Although  from 
vas  often  compelled  to 
order  to  get  the  work 
up  the  character  of 
iring,  mean  and  das- 
calculation,  we  werp 
le  Antigua  passage,  he 
[ig,  and  hove  the  ship 
At  length  he  humbled 
I  lunar  observation.     I 
iccording  to  the  result 
,  New  Orleans  after  a 
ship  was  to  proceed  to 
lod   to  remain  in  her, 
use  of  my  feelings  and 
ve  not  exaggerated  in 
tain  B.  and  his  general 
e  sufficient  to  say,  that 
ship  fast  alongside  the 
)r  left  the  ship, 
om  the  wharf  and  drop- 
rty  hours  was  again  on 
md.     Nothing  material 
In  fourteen  days  we 
Lst  alongside  the  wharf, 
ate,  tliat  during  a  life  of 
and  of  course  I  have 
F  various  temperaments, 
a  manifest  exception  to 
tio  marvel,  if  such  were 
plains,  that  mutiny  and 
characteristics  of  sailors. 
;  there  are  many,  very 
I  have  never  known  a 


RW" 


LIFE   ON  THE   MCEATT. 


391 


commander,  who  was  a  good  seaman,  to  be  tyrannical 
and  overbearing.  Capt.  B.  was  immediately  discharged 
upon  our  arrival  and  the  command  was  given  to  me. 
In  consequence,  however,  of  the  yellow  fever  raging 
violently  at  the  time,  the  ship  remained  at  the  wharf 
unemployed  during  the  whole  summer.  In  the  month 
of  October,  I  assumed  the  command  of  the  ship  Chaun- 
cey,  four  hundred  tons  burthen,  and  bound  to  the  Pacific 
Ocean.  It  will  be  seen  that  my  stay  on  shore  was  of 
longer  duration  than  it  had  been  for  many  years,  and  as 
domestic  cares  had  by  this  time  began  to  multiply,  I 
found  more  difficulty  to  sever  those  strong  associations 
which  entwined  around  the  affections  of  mutual  love. 
How  much  is  there  in  a  sailor's  life  which  act  upon  him 
as  so  many  sources  of  sorrow  and  disquietude,  espe- 
cially  if  he  be  united  to  one  that  is  capable  of  apprecia- 
ting a  sailor's  love,  and  one  too  that  is  a  sharer  and 
sympathizer  in  all  his  joys  and  sorrows,  and  can  feel  for 
his  perils  and  hardships.  This  then  was  exactly  my 
position,  and  notwithstanding  I  had  been  privileged  to 
remain  with  the  objects  of  my  affection  nearly  four 
months,  yet  as  the  time  approached  for  separation,  I  felt 
more  deeply  the  anticipated  privation,  which  I  was 
called  upon  to  endure.  The  ship  requiring  many  repairs, 
such  as  caulking,  sheathing,  coppering,  «fcc.  consequently 
she  was  not  ready  for  sea  until  the  first  of  December,  at 
which  time  her  lading  was  all  completed,  and  she  was 
in  readiness  for  a  two  years'  voyage.  Let  me  digress 
here  to  give  some  account  of  the  ship,  her  owners  and 
the  supercargo,  in  order  that  the  circumstances  connect- 
ed with  the  ensuing  voyage  may  be  better  comprehend- 
ed. As  before  stated,  she  was  about  four  hundred  tons 
burthen,  originally  built  for  a  privateer,  but  as  peace 
was  proclaimed  before  she  was  fitted  out,  she  was  risen 
upon  with  heavy  upperworks,  her  iron  fastenings  were 
drilled  aut,  and  she  was  refastened  with  copper,  &c. 
The  ship  was,  very  sharp  and  very  weak,  her  upper 
I  works  being  too  heavy  for  the  lower  frame.  Her  princi- 
I     pal  owner  was  a  Scotchman,  proverbially  close  and  pe- 


—f^'f""!^ 


"^ 


382 


LIFE   ON  THE   OCEAN. 


nurions,  as  may  be  seen  from  the  following  account. 
The  crew  of  the  ship  consisted  of  nineteen  souls ;  he 
made  a  calculation  for  ninety  days  passage  from  hence 
to  Lima,  with  the  customary  allowance  of  beef,  bread 
and  pork  for  each  day.    This  amount  was  stowed  so  as 
to  be  at  hand  when  wanted,  but  the  remainder  ^  the 
provisions  for  the  voyage  was,  according  to  his  orders, 
stowed  underneath  the  cargo.    Remonstrance  was  use- 
less    The  supercargo  was  a  young  German,  a  relative 
of  one  of  the  owners ;  he  had  procured  a  greater  part  ot 
the  cargo  on  consignment,  spoke  the  English  language 
badly,  and  did  not  understand  a  word  of  the  Spanish. 
The  hour  for  stiling  drew  nigh  and  xvith  a  heavy  heart 
and  painful  emotions,  the  last  interview  was  now  about 
to  take  place.    It  w- :  ..aort  and  sad,  for  already  the  top- 
sails and  top-gallant  sails  were  at  the  mast-head,  .the 
keen  north-west  wind  blew  piercingly,  blue  Peter  at  the 
mast-head  fluttered,and  the  stars  and  stripes  were  quiver- 
ine  in  the  breeze.    The  time  for  parting  at  length  came. 
For  a  moment  I  faltered  but  in  the  next  might  have 
been  heard  the  melancholy  accents  of  bidding  adieu.    I 
hurried  out,  saw  nothing,  heard  nothing,  and  felt  noth- 
jne  until  I  found  myself  on  the  quarter  deck  of  the  ship 
Chauncey.    All  were  on  board,  the  single  fasts  were 
slipped,  and  anon  she  was  sailing  rapidly  down  the 

In  two  days  we  anchored  at  New  Point  Comfort,  the 
wind  being  to  the  eastward,  with  dark  threatening 
weather.  Here  we  had  a  fine  opportunity  to  fill  up  our 
water  casks  and  to  procure  a  good  stock  of  fresh  pro- 
visions. As  the  wind  continued  a-head  for  several  days, 
the  spars,  water  casks  and  boats  were  all  well  secured, 
and  tlie  chafing-gear,  such  as  battens,  mats,  leathew, 
&,c.  were  seized  on  in  their  respective  places,  and  the 
ship  was  now  completely  bandaged  for  a  long  cruise. 


bllowing  account, 
ineteen  souls;  he 
sissage  from  hence 
nee  of  beef,  bread 
;  was  stowed  so  as 
B  remainder  of  the 
ding  to  his  orders, 
>nstrance  was  use- 
German,  a  relative 
ed  a  greater  part  of 
English  language 
rd  of  the  Spanish, 
with  a  heavy  heart 
lew  was  now  about 
for  already  the  top- 
the  mast-head,  ^tne 
y,  blue  Peter  at  the 
stripes  were  quiver- 
ing at  length  came, 
le  next  might  have 
if  bidding  adieu.    I 
hing,  and  felt  noth- 
Tter  deck  of  the  ship 
e  single  fasts  were 
r  rapidly  down  the 

Point  Comfort,  the 
h  dark  threatening 
rtunity  to  fill  up  our 
I  stock  of  fresh  pro- 
lead  for  several  days, 
ere  all  well  secured, 
tens,  mats,  leathers, 
itive  places,  and  the 

for  a  long  cruise. 


CHAPTER   XXIX. 

VOTiOB  TO   THE    PACIFIC — DANGEROUS    LEE   SHORE — AND    PROVI- 
DENTIAL   ESCAPE. 

Before  leaving  our  anchorage,  I  had  a  fair  opportunity 
of  ascertaining  the  character  of  my  crew,  which  consist- 
ed of  eight  able  seamen,  a  carpenter,  six  young  men, 
all  of  respectable  copn«ctions,  as  ordinary  seamen,  cook 
and  steward  ;  first  and  second  officers,  with  myself  and 
supercargo,  being  twenty-one  in  number.  Thus  far  I 
had  reason  to  be  well  satisfied  with  them,  in  prosecut- 
ing this  voyage  I  put  in  execution  what  I  had  long  con- 
templated. I  took  no  liquor  of  any  description  on  board, 
and  with  the  exception  of  a  few  bottles  of  wine  belong- 
ing to  the  supercargo,  I  had  reason  to  believe  that  there 
was  none  fore  and  aft  the  ship ;  in  the  place  of  which, 
however,  I  allowed  the  men  tea,  coffee  and  sugar,  and 
they  were  all  well  satisfied  with  the  substitute.  As  I 
had  now  the  entire  command  and  control  of  this  ship, 
I  determined  to  institute  such  regulations  and  observe  a 
mode  of  treatment  to  the  crew  that  would  make  their 
time  to  pass  as  happily  as  the  nature  of  a  sea-life  would 
admit  of  My  fi?  st  officer  was  an  educated  man  and  a 
good  sailor ;  the  second  officer  was  an  able  seaman, 
hardy  and  rough,  active,  and  always  ready  to  execute 
the  commands  of  his  superiors.  Before  we  got  under 
way,  the  watches  were  chosen  and  the  rules  and  regu- 
lations for  the  discipline  of  the  ship  were  made  known 
to  the  crew. 

Oh  the  morning  of  December  7th,  the  wind  sprurig 
up  from  the  north-west,  and  by  the  time  we  got  the 
anchor  weighed  it  blew  a  strong  gale.  The  ship's  head 
was  canted  to  starboard,  and  we  run  down  to  the  Capes 


■I'fci.'liilHii'ltlii' 


B^ti ■  4 ^* i v'l ,  !■  vy; w  ,■} wFy— ?^*y?^"— y*^^ 


I  ■.PVI 


324 


LIFE   ON   THE   OCEAN. 


;l    I 


under  a  reefed  foresail.    It  was  with  much  difficulty 
and  great  hazard  that  our  pilot  got  on  board  of  his  boat, 
and  at  10  a.  m.  we  passed  Cape  Henry  light-house, 
scudding  at  the  rate  of  eleven  knots,  under  reefed  fore- 
sail.    At  meridian  it  continued  to  blow  violently,  and, 
as  is  customary  in  every  well  regulated  ship,  either  to 
sound  or  pump  the  vessel  out,  the  carpenter  was  now 
ordered  to  sound  the  pumps;   to  my  great  surprise  he 
reported  that  there  were  two  feet  of  water  in  her.     This 
was  a  source  of  great  apprehension,  esptcially  at  the 
commencement  ol"a  long  voyage,  and  the  more  so  be- 
cause there  is  no  circumstance  that  causes  more  distrust 
and  discontent  among  sailors  than  a  leaky  ship.     It  now 
became  necessary  to  keen  one  pump  constantly  going  m 
heavy  weather,  and  two  every  hour  in  moderate  weather. 
By  dint  of  a  little  tact  and  management,  pumping  soon 
became  a  matter  of  course  with  tlie  seamen,  and  was 
performed  as  cheerfully  as  any  other  part  of  tlie  ship's 
duty.     As  a  passage  similar  to  the  present  has  been  de- 
scribed in  the  first  part  of  this  work,  I  deem  it  advi- 
sable not  to  swell  these  pages  with  a  repetition  of  unrie- 
cessary  detail.     Permit  me,  therefore,  to  transpoit  the 
reader  frora  a  sight  of  Cape  Henry  liglit-house,  with  a 
hard  north-wester  blowing,  over  different  oceans  and 
varied  climes,  and  through  all  sorts  of  winds  and  weather, 
calms  and  gales,  to  a  position  off  the  Falkland  Islands, 
near  Cape  Horn,  after  the  very  short  passage  of  sixty- 
four  days.    All  now  wp.s  on  the  tiptoe  of  expectation, 
believing  that  Ave  should  double  this  boisterous  Cape 
without  much  difficulty.    I  had,  however,  taken  the 
precaution  to  get  the  ship  snug  and  in  perfect  readiness 
to  encounter  adverse  weather  in  this  region ;  and  in  my 
opinion,  tnis  is  what  every  good  seaman  ought  to  do-- 
for  no  sooner  was  the  ship's  head  pointed  to  the  south- 
west, off  Staten  Land,  than  it  commenced  tc  hlow  vio- 
lently from  Avest-south-west.    The  ship  was  put  on  the 
fltarbopjd  tack,  and  it  blew  so  tremendously  that  noth- 
inff  more  than  storm-trysails  and  double  reefed  foresail 
could  be  carried.    Now  our  troubles  began  to  multiply 


'"  "^  '  •'tlm^v^^-~' 


h  much  difficulty 
,  board  of  his  boat, 
lenry  hght-house, 
under  reefed  fore- 
low  violently,  and, 
ited  ship,  either  to 
carpenter  was  now 
'  great  surprise  he 
■ater  in  her.     This 
,  espfccially  at  the 
id  the  more  so  be- 
auses  more  distrust 
eaky  ship.     It  now 
constantly  going  in 
I  moderate  weather, 
ent,  pumping  soon 
3  seamen,  and  was 
r  part  of  tlie  ship's 
resent  has  been  de- 
rk,  I  deem  it  advi- 
repetition  of  unrie- 
e,  to  transpoit  the 
liglit-house,  with  a 
ifferent  oceans  and 
winds  and  weather, 
3  Falkland  Islands, 
t  passage  of  sixty- 
ptoe  of  expectation, 
lis  boisterous  Gape 
lowever,  taken  the 
in  perfect  readiness 
;  region ;  and  in  my 
man  ought  to  do — 
ointed  to  the  south- 
(lenced  tc  hlow  vio- 
ship  was  put  on  the 
endously  that  noth- 
ouble  reefed  foresail 
is  began  tc  multiply 


LtPE   ON  THE   OCEAN. 


326 


«&i»i»i»"<*'^' 


upon  us.  For  thirteen  days  it  continued  to  blow  an 
incessant  gale  from  west-south-west  to  south-west,  with 
high  seas  and  severe  hail  squalls ;  during  the  whole 
time  neither  sun,  moon  nor  stars  were  seen;  in  addition 
to  this  we  had  now  been  out  nearly  eighty  days,  and  it 
became  necessarjf  for  the  reasons  stated  at  the  com- 
mencement of  this  voyage,  to  reduce  the  allowance  of 
provisions ;  and  what  was  still  Avorse,  we  had  lost  near 
three  hundred  gallons  of  fresh,  v/ater  by  the  bursting  of 
two  casks;  so  that  each  man's  allowance  was  now 
reduced  to  half  a  pound  of  salt  beef  or  pork,  three 
quarters  of  a  pound  of  bread,  and  three  pints  of  water 
per  day.  To  be  sure  we  had  plenty  of  beans,  peas, 
and  rice,  but  then  there  was  no  fresh  water  to  cook 
them  in.  Thus  wore  we  reduced  to  this  scanty  allow- 
ance at  a  time  when  we  stood  most  in  need  of  nour- 
ishment and  sufficiency  of  food,  and  this  state  of  things, 
too,  was  brouglit  about  by  the  cupidity  and  avaricious- 
ness  of  one  of  the  owners.  From  the  closest  calcu- 
lations I  could  make  in  reference  to  the  position  of  the 
ship  at  this  period— having  had  no  opportunity  to  get 
observations  either  of  sun,  moon,  or  stars— I  judged  her 
to  be  to  the  westward  of  the  westernmost  point  of  land 
off  the  Cape ;  but  on  the  morning  of  the  26th  February, 
while  lying  to  on  the  starboard  tack  under  the  trysails, 
in  a  hard  gale  from  the  south-west,  land  was  seen  four 
points  on  the  weather-bow  and  two  points  on  the 
weather-quarter,  while  the  whole  ice-bound  coast  of 
Cape  Horn  stretched  along  on  our  lee-beam. 

Thus  we  were  nearly  land-locked,  on  a  frightful  lee- 
shore  in  a  heavy  gale  of  wind,  with  a  leaky  ship.  The 
land  on  the  weather  bow  proved  to  be  the  island  of 
Diego  Ramirez,  that  on  the  weather  quarter  St.  Ildefonso 
rocks,  and  that  on  the  lee  beam  was  the  coast  of  Cape 
Horn.  No  alternative  was  now  left,  but  either  to  run 
between  Diego  Ramirez  and  the  coast,  or  to  set  a  press  of 
canvas  and  endeavour  to  beat  off  shore.  Either  of  these 
resorts  would  be  attended  with  great  peril  and  dang». 

LI  resolved,  however,  to  choose  the  latter,  so  that  I  could 


■ih'iiiiHWiafl^ 


■mill 


mmm 


320 


LIFE   ON  THE   OCEAN. 


m 


have  the  former— that  is  to  run  through  the  channel,  if 
there  were  any  there—as  a  last  resource.    The  close 
reefed  main-topsail  and  reefed  foresail  was  now  set  upon 
the  ship.    With  this  additional  sail  she  bounded  over 
the  high  sea,  making  little  more  than  two  points  and  a 
half  lee  way.  -With  what  an  anxious  heart  and  still 
more  anxious  eye  did  I  note  the  bearings  of  the  land, 
but  alas  the  sea  rolled  so  heavily  that  it  forced  her  to 
leeward  and  she  drew  in  with  tiie  land.     The  closed 
reefed  fore-topsail  was  now  set,  and  with  this  pressure 
of  head  sail  she  plunged  into  the  sea,  as  if  goaded  to 
madness  by  the  additional  weight  of  canvas  -,  and  fre- 
quenlly  the  jib-boom,  bowsprit  and  part  of  the  fore- 
castle were  under  water,  while  the  dashing  foam  from 
over  the  bows  and  the  heavy  rolling  sea,  broke  fore  and 
aft  the  deck.    It  was  four  o'clock  and  the  ship  was  now 
on  tlio  larboard  tack.     During  the  previous  part  of  thc- 
day  she  had  been  pressed  with  canvas  almost  beyond 
the  power  of  her  strength,  and  tiie  gale  still  blew  with 
unabated  violence.     The  rocks  piled  with,  mountains  of 
ice,  were  not  more  than  one  and  a  half  miles  distance 
directly  on  the  lee  beam.     With  these  dangers  in  view, 
all  hands  were  summoned  to  the  quarter  deck. 

"My  Iqijs."  said  I,  "you  i^erceive  the  situation  of  this 
ship ;  we  have  been  carrying  a  hard  press  of  canvas  all 
day  and  yet  we  have  lost  ground,  and  are  much  nearer 
the  rocks  now  than  we  were  in  the  morning;  night  is 
coming  on  and  it  will  be  worse  than  useless  to  attempt 
to  beat  ofl'  shore  in  this  gale  of  wind ;  we  must  now 
wear  ship,  and  stand  off  under  a  press  of  canvas,  and 
should  the  wind  favour  us  two  points,  we  shall  weather 
Diego  Ramirez,  but  if  the  wind  sliould  break  the  ship  off, 
why  then  we  must  run  through  the  channel  between 
the  island  and  the  coast.  Vhere  are  some  sunken  rocks 
laid  down  on  the  chart,  but  with  a  good  look-out  we 
may  clear  them.  You  see  then  our  salvation  depends 
much  on  your  firmness  and  activity.  Let  there  be  no 
confusion  or  insubordi  nation -,  away  then  to  your  sta- 
tions, and  stand  by  to  wear  ship!" 


igh  the  channel,  if 
i)urce.    The  close 
was  now  set  upon 
she  bounded  over 
n  two  points  and  a 
us  heart  and  still 
arings  of  the  land, 
at  it  forced  her  to 
land.    Tlie  closed 
with  this  pressure 
sea,  as  if  goaded  to 
'  canvas  -,  and  fre- 
part  of  the  fore- 
dasliing  foam  from 
sea,  broke  fore  and 
I  the  ship  was  now 
revious  part  of  thc- 
vas  almost  beyond 
?ale  still  blew  with 
Willi  mountains  of 
half  miles  distance 
se  dangers  in  view, 
arter  deck, 
the  situation  of  this 
i  press  of  canvas  all 
lid  are  much  nearer 
I  morning  •,   night  is 
1  useless  to  attempt 
nd;   we  must  now 
ress  of  canvas,  and 
ts,  we  shall  weather 
Id  break  the  ship  off, 
he  channel  between 
••  some  sunken  rocks 
a  good  look-out  we 
ir  salvation  depends 
Y.    Let  there  oe  no 
y  then  to  your  sta- 


LIFB    ON  THE   OCEAN. 


32T 


This  order  was  promptly  obeyed.  Tie  lee  fore-iack 
was  stretched  along  to  the  windlass,  and  the  braces 
were  manned. 

"Are  you  all  ready  fore  and  aft  ?"  ' 

"Aye,  aye,  sir!"  was  the  reply. 

"Put  your  helm  up,  and  round  in  the  after  yards  I" 
The  mam-topsail  shook  violently,  "Sc^iare  away  the 
head-yards !"  The  ship  immediately  paid  off  beLre  the 
winu.  and  for  a  few  minutes  run  as  if  driven  by  a  thou- 
sand furies;  presently,  however,  she  came  up  and  took 
the  wind  on  the  starboard  quarter.  "Haul  in  your 
larl)oard  braces  fore  and  aft ! — heave  down  the  fore- 
tack,  and  gather  aft  the  fore-sheet — right  your  helm — 
belay  all,  and  steady  out  the  bowlines.''  The  ship 
came  up  to  the  Avind,  but  its  violence  hove  her  down 
nearly  to  the  quick-work. 

"She  has  come  up  two  points,  sir,"  said  the  helmsman. 

Thank  God,  said  I  inwardly, — two  more  points  and 
all  is  safe.  "Away  there  aloft !  my  lads,  loose  the  main- 
sail and  reef  it." 

The  first  officer  looked  me  directly  in  the  face,  as 
much  as  to  say  she  will  not  bear  it,  sir.  "She  must 
bear  it,"  cried  I,  or  the  masts  shall  go  out  of  her,  for 
there  is  no  alternative. 

The  mainsail  was  loosed  and  reefed,  and  the  weather- 
clue-garnet  was  slacked  down  while  the  tack  was  hove 
down  with  the  windlass ;  then  the  sheet  was  hauled 
close  aft.  With  this  broad  sheet  of  canvas  in  her  centre, 
she  dashed  through  the  foaming  billows  with  her  lee- 
gunwale  under  water.  Her  head  aow  looked  up  four 
points  to  windward  of  the  island,  but  darkness  was 
gathering  fast  upon  us.  The  bearings  of  each  point  of 
land  was  accurately  taken  and  noted,  and  now  tc  add 
to  the  disasters  of  this  fearful  night,  the  lee-purap  would 
not  keep  the  ship  free,  and  the  spirits  of  the  r:silc» 
began  to  slak. 

At  ten  p.  M.  the  gal» moderated,  and  the  ship  being 
more  upright,  the  weather  pump  was  rigged  and  she 
was  soon  nee.    By  this  time  I  judged  we  were  nearly 


■,■-*; 


■'"  > 


(  '0  > 


•■-^■"■■'""•"'■'nii'"-!"'   .'•'  Y  r-iii---'(V-iiiiii>--'" 'T    ■■ 


MiaillMWMIiailMn  ffltrt 


328 


LIFE   ON  THE   OCEAN. 


abreast  of  the  island.  I  was  not  mistaken  in  my  conjec- 
ture, for  as  the  wind  l''.iied,  the  roaring  of  the  breakers 
dashing  against  the  rocks  was  heard.  At  midnight  it 
'fell  away  entirely  cahn,  and  the  sound  of  the  breakers 
became  clearer  and  more  distinctly  heard.  Perilous  as 
had  been  our  situation  during  tiio  whole  day,  it  was 
now  rendered  infinitely  more  so,  by  this  dread  calm. 
There  was  not  a  breutii  of  air  and  the  ship  becoming 
quite  unmanageable,  she  was  driven  by  the  heavy 
south-west  swell  directly  toward  tlie  rocks.  There  we 
lay  until  the  morning  broke.  During  the  night  nothing 
was  heard  htu  the  roaring  noise  of  the  surf  which 
broke  like  an  immense  cataract  against  the  rocks,  inter- 
mingled occasionally  witli  the  screams  of  numerous  sea 
fowls,  which  had  songlit  slielter  from  the  storm.  A 
sight  the  most  appalling  presented  itself  tlmt  can  pos- 
sibly be  imagineu  ;  tliero  we  lay  within  three  cables 
lengths  of  the  rocks  n|x)n  wiiich  the  sea  broke  as  high 
as  our  topmast  heads,  without  a  single  breath  of  wind  ; 
the  heavy  swell  was  forcing  the  ship  nearer  and  nearer 
every  moment  to  certain  destruction.  The  cables  and 
anchors  were  entirely  useless,  for  there  was  no  bottom 
with  a  hundred  and  sixty  fathoms  line ;  the  boats,  too, 
were  of  no  service  on  account  of  the  tremendous  high 
swell.  It  was  a  moment  of  deep  and  painful  suspense. 
In  twenty  minutes  with  no  wind  the  ship  would  be 
dashed  into  a  thousand  pieces,  and  all  hands  would  be 
in  eternity.  I  thought  on  my  home  and  the  dear  objects 
I  had  left  behind.  I  thought  on  that  Being  whom  I 
had  so  often  offended,  and  inwardly  ejaculated  a  prayer 
for  mercy.  The  seamen  were  silent  and  solemn,  and 
had  prepared  themselves  by  taking  off  every  thing  but 
their  sthirts  and  trowsers,  to  buffet  the  angry  breakers 
befi>i\3  them.  We  had  previously  to  this  set  evtiry  sail 
(hat  we  could  get  on  the  ship,  so  as  to  catch  the  least 
puff  of  air  that  might  pass  by.  Now  w.e  were  within  one 
and  a  half  cables  length  of  the  rocks,  and  the  wind  iVom 
the  rebounding  breakers  falling  heavily  upon  our  canvas, 
forced  the  shipahead  twice  her  length.  The  sun  rose  clear 


en  in  my  conjec- 
g  of  the  breakers 
At  midnight  it 
I  of  the  breakers 
■ard.  Perilous  as 
hole  day,  it  was 

this  dread  calm, 
he  ship  becoming 
a  by  the  heavy 
rocks.  There  we 
the  night  nothing 
f  the  surf  ^vhich 
it  the  rocks,  inter- 
s  of  numerous  sea 
m  the  storm.  A 
self  timt  can  pos- 
ithin  three  cables 

sea  broke  as  high 
le  breath  of  wind  ; 
I  nearer  and  nearer 
.     The  cables  and 
!re  was  no  bottom 
le  -,  the  boats,  too, 
e  tremendous  high 
3  painful  suspense, 
ihe  ship  would  be 
ill  hands  would  be 
nd  the  dear  objects 
lat  Being  w^hom  I 
ejaculated  a  prayer 
t  and  solemn,  and 
oiT  every  thing  but 
the  angry  breakers 

this  set  every  sail 
IS  to  catch  the  least 
w.e  were  within  ob6 

and  the  wind  ftom 
ily  upon  our  canvas, 
.  The  sun  rose  clear 


LIFE   ON  THE   OCEAN. 


329 


and  not  a  cloud  was  seen  in  the  heavens,  as  the  glorious 
orb  ascended  upon  his  daily  round.  A  light  '  Uspaw 
came  dancing  over  the  glassy  bosom  of  the  dee^i  uirectly 
oft"  the  land.  The  yards  were  quickly  trimmed,  the  light 
sails  shivered  and  swelled  out  from  the  masts,  and  ere 
long  the  whole  surface  of  the  water  was  ruffled  with 
the  increasing  breeze.  The  topsails  as  if  relieved  from 
violent  labor  Ibll  asleep,  She  starts— she  moves  through 
the  water — she  is  sale !  In  fifteen  mimites  she  was  run- 
ning with  toT-'iast  and  lower  studdingsails  set  at  the 
rate  of  seven  ...lots  per  hour  directly  from  tlio  land. 
We  set  down  that  morning  to  our  homely  meal  ovor- 
powerc-d  with  gratitude  to  Almighty  God,  for  tliis  ex- 
traordinary act  of  his  morcy,  in  'leigning  to  grant  our 
deliveimcc  from  a  "iolent  death,  and  preserving  the 
shin  ill  safety. 

The  breeze  lusting  six  hours,  I  took  the  precaution  to 
get  an  offing.  It  was  well  I  did  "O,  for  at  eight  o'clock 
the  same  night  it  blew  a  gale  from  the  south-west  and 
the  ship  was  under  close  reefed  topsails.  From  the 
heavy  pressure  of  canvas  carried  on  while  beating  oflf 
shore,  the  ship  had  strained  considerably,  and  increased 
the  leak,  insomuch  that  one  pump  would  not  keep  her 
free.  Fortunately,  however,  the  second  day  after  leav- 
ing the  land,  while  the  cook  was  getting  up  wood  from 
the  fore-peak,  he  discovered  one  of  the  breast-hooks  to 
work  and  the  water  pouring  in  through  two  of  the  boat 
fastenings.  Upon  examination  it  was  found  that  all  the 
bolts,  which  secured  this  breast-hook,  were  iron,  and 
that  the  copiier  had  eaten  them  away,  leaving  nothing 
but  the  iron  rust  in  the  bolt  holes.  Long  wooden  tree- 
nails were  made,  wound  round  with  tarred  parceling, 
and  dnven  into  every  bolt  hole ;  a  shoar  was  then  fitte:^! 
-.  one  end  oi  which  was  placed  on  the  breast-hook,  and  the 
I  other  end  against  a  beam ;  in  this  way  it  was  strongly 
I  secured,  and  to  our  great  joy  the  leak  was  so  for  stopped 
I  as  to  make  it  necessary  to  pump  only  once  in  two  hotiirs. 
I  But  our  troubles  were  not  yet  to  an  end.    The  wind 

I       contipued  to  blow  a  gale  from  west  to  south-west  for 

I 


r 


LIFE   ON   THE   OCEAN. 

several  successive  days,  so  that  it  was  impossible  to  get 
to  the  westward,  and  it  became  necessary  oncfl  more  to 
reduce  the  allowance  of  bread  and  water,  say  one  quart 
of  water  and  half  a  pound  of  bread  daily  per  man,  for 
seven  days.    Such  was  the  severity  of  the  weather,  that 
the  cook  was  unable  to  make  any  fire  m  the  galley, 
consequently  we  had  to  eat  raw  beef  and  pork,  which 
made  our  thirst  intolerable.     On  the  eighth  day  after 
leaving  the  land  the  wind  m-derated  and  it  fell  away 
calm.     The  heavy  south-west  s  ^  i\\  went  down  and  iii 
the  afternoon  a  rolling  swell  car..:  up  from  the  eastward. 
From  the  indications  of  the  weather,  I  supposed  we 
should  soon  have  an  easterly  gale,  and  before  darkness 
closed  in  upon  us,  the  topsails  were  close  reefed,  the 
courses  were  reefed  and  furled,  with  the  mizzen-topsail, 
jib  and  mizzen,  so  that  the  ship  was  now  urider  two 
close    reefed    topsails    and    fore-topmast-staysail.      My 
suppositions  were  correct,  for  at  eight  o'clock  the  wind 
sprung  up  from  the  eastward,  and  before  ten  it  blew  a 
violent  gale.   The  main-topsail  was  clued  up  and  Juried 
and  we  scudded  away  to  the  westward  during  the  whole 
night,  with  the  close  reefed  fore-topsail  at  the  rate  ol 
eleven  and  twelve  knots  per  hour. 


MM  ' 


'iMIlgMMMMta^'fi 


9  impossible  to  get 
jsary  once  rnore  to 
lUor,  say  one  quart 
laily  per  man,  for 
f  the  weather,  that 
fire  in  the  galley, 
3f  and  pork,  which 
0  eighth  day  after 
ed  and  it  fell  away 
went  down  and  in 
from  the  eastward, 
er,  I  supposed  we 
md  before  darkness 
e  close  reefed,  the 
the  mizzen-topsail, 
I'as  now  under  two 
mast-staysail.     My 
U  o'clock  the  wind 
before  ten  it  blew  a 
clued  up  and  furled 
rd  during  the  whole 
apsail  at  the  rate  of 


CHAPTER   XXX. 

CONTIHUATIOM  OF  VOVAOE— ARRIVAL  AT    CALLAO— VI»IT  TO  LIMA; 

kC.    AC. 

The  ship  was  by  computation,  in  latitude  66°  Sty 
south,  and  as  we  had  run  sufficiently  far  to  the  west- 
ward, at  daylight  in  the  morning  we  steered  away  to  the 
northward,  so  that  by  twelve  o'clock  her  course  was 
north-north-west.  In  cigiit  days  from  this  period  we 
were  in  sight  of  the  island  of  Juan  Fernandez.  It  was 
my  intention  to  stop  at  this  place  and  fill  up  the  water, 
but  at  2  p.  M.  the  cheering  cry  was  heard  from  the  mast- 
head of  "sail  ho !"  At  three  o'clock  we  spoke  the  United 
States'  Frigate  Macedonian,  Com.  Ridgely,  bound  to 
the  United  States,  from  the  Pacific  station.  I  went  on 
board  and  was  necessarily  obliged  tn  state  to  the  com- 
modore our  cond  ition  and  wants.  After  bestowing  some 
hearty  blessings  on  t  lo  owners  of  the  ship,  he  very 
politely  supplied  us  with  two  hundred  gallons  of  water 
and  three  barrels  of  bread.  Th-is  seasonable  supply  pre- 
cluded the  necessity  of  touching  at  the  island,  so  we 
continued  our  course  towards  Lima,  where  we  arrived 
in  eight  days,  and  anchored  in  the  harbor  of  Callao, 
March  25th,  1823,  making  the  passage  in  one  hundred 
and  eight  days  from  the  Cajxis  of  Virginia. 

Here  were  a  number  of  British,  French  and  German 
vessels,  and  the  market  was  completely  glutted  with  all 
kinds  of  merchandise  peculiar  to  those  nations.  Flour, 
however  was  in  great  demand,  in  consequence  of  the 
crop  having  entirely  failed  in  Upper  Peru  and  Chili. 
We  lay  here  three  months,  during  which  we  did  not 
sell  more  than  one  third  part  of  the  cargo.  Our  next 
destination  being  to  the  ihtermediate  ports  of  Peru,  then 


MSdUMfetc: 


' 'iii^ii»aOf  iim'iMwrin 


■iHAI 


332 


LIFE   ON  THE   OCEAN. 


in  the  possession  of  the  royalists,  and  which  were  in 
a  state  of  blockado  by  the  Peruvian  government,  ol 
course  we  remained  here  for  convoy,  which  was  expect- 
ed every  hour  from  the  United  States.  I  took  this  op- 
nortuiiity  of  visiting  Lima.  Like  most  of  the  other 
Ispanisli  cities,  some  of  the  buildings  were  large  and 
maanificcnt,  having  a  court-yard  forming  a  square,  the 
passage  leading  to  which  is  through  a  massive  folding 
sate  The  crcater  part  of  the  buildings  are  of  a  most 
Ordinary  kind,  and  the  streets  are  narrow,  very  mijch 
confined,  and  cxcmlingly  dirty.  The  rlmrches,  many 
of  them,  arc  very  large,  and  fonnorly  were  famous  for 
their  riol.cs,  particularly  the  cathedral,  the  altar  ot  which 

was  made  of  beaten  silver,  the   candlestnks  and  the 
other  embellishments  of  pure  gold  ;   but  suice  the  revo- 
lution  these  riches  have  nearly  all  been  removed,  and 
coined  into  money  to  carry  on  the  expenses  of  the  war. 
I  visited  also  the  l»authcon  or  repository  for  the  dead, 
which  is  situated  at  a  smnll  distance  outside  of  the  city. 
This  place  contains  about  twelve  acres  of  land,  with  a 
wall  built  in  the  form  of  a  circle,  which  encloses  all  the 
ground  ;  this  wall  it;  ten  feet  high  and  seven  feet  thick— 
not  unlike  the  parapets  of  a  fortress,  built  of  stone ;  and 
there  are  three  receptacles  or  holes,  one  above  the  other, 
sufficiently  large  to  admit  a  coffin,  each  height  being 
three  feet  apart.     The  bodies  remain  here  until  they  are 
entirely  decomposed,  when  the  bones  are  taken  out  and 
piled  up  into  large  heaps  and  burned.     The  higher  class  . 
of  persons  have    plendid  tombs  erected  m  the  ground, 
wherein  they  bury  their  dead  and  from  whence  they  are 
never  removed.     At  the  entrance  of  this  charnel  house, 
there  is  a  large  chapel,  which  on  no  occasion  is  used 
except  for  the  performance  of  funeral  rites.     This  place 
is  unlike  any  other  part  of  Lima,  as  it  is  we  I  construct- 
ed and  kept  in  the  most  perfect  and  neat  order. 

Lima  is  situated  seven  miles  north  ot  Callao,  a  place 
but  a  short  distance  from  the  site  where  old  Oallao 
stood,  which  it  will  be  remembered  was  destroyed  bv 
an  earthquake  about  eighty  years  previous  to  this  penod. 


LIFE   CN  THE   OCEAN. 


333 


(1  which  were  in 
n  ffovernment,  of 
which  was  cxpect- 
s.  I  look  this  op- 
nost  of  the  other 
js  were  large  and 
nina  a  sqtiare,  the 

a  massive  folding 
lings  are  of  a  most 
larrow,  very  mvjch 
\Q  rluirches,  many 
y  were  famous  for 
I,  the  altar  of  which 
luilosti'ks  and  the 
but  since  the  revo- 
bcen  removed,  and 
ipcnscs  of  the  war. 
sitory  for  tlio  dead, 
outside  of  the  city. 
:'rcs  of  land,  with  a 
ich  encloses  all  the 
1  seven  feet  thick — 
built  of  stone ;  and 
uc  above  the  other, 
each  height  being 

here  until  they  are 
s  are  taken  out  and 
.  The  higher  class  . 
icted  in  the  ground, 
om  whence  they  are 
this  charnel  Viouse, 
no  occasion  is  used 
il  rites.  This  place 
it  is  woU  construct- 
neat  order, 
h  of  Callao,  a  place 
a  where  old  Callao 
d  was  destroyed  by 
3vious  to  this  period. 


With  the  exception  of  one  man,  every  soul  perished, 
and  every  house  and  building  sunk  and  were  swallow- 
ed up,  in  this  awful  catastrophe.  I  visited  this  spot,  and 
although  the  country  around  was  exceedingly  fertile, 
yftt  here  wwe  neither  verdure,  shrub,  nor  spire  of  grass, 
the  whole  surface  being  one  entire  bed  of  ashes.  The 
ottreme  tops  of  some  of  the  houses  are  yet  to  be  seen. 
It  fell  to  my  lot  while  here  to  be  a  witness  of  one  of 
these  dreadful  earthquakes ;  it  happened  at  night  about 
ten  o'clock,  while  1  was  on  shore.  Many  houses  were 
knocked  down,  and  while  I  was  endoavourinff  to  got  to 
my  boat,  the  ground  rolled  and  undulated  like  the 
waves  of  the  sea-,  for  several  minutes  I  found  it  impossi- 
ble f(»  proceed  ;  at  length,  however,  I  reached  the  boat, 
and  found  the  men  in  tlie  deepest  consternation.  They 
informed  me  that  for  a  few  moments  the  water  had 
retired  sixty  feet,  and  then  rushed  back  with  incredible 
rapidity,  sweeping  all  before  it.  I  did  not  remain  on 
shore  after  nignt  during  the  whole  period  of  our  sUiy. 

The  United  States'  ship  Franklin,  coinmodore  Stew- 
art, at  length  arrived,  anci  we  made  application  for  con- 
voy to  the  blockaded  iwrts,  which  was  immediately 
granted.  In  three  days  af\er  we  were  under  way,  bound 
to  ciuilca  under  the  convoy  of  the  Franklin,  and  on 
the  seventh  night  anchored  ofi'  that  port.  Here  we  dis- 
charged nearly  the  whole  of  the  car^o  by  order  of  the 
supercargo,  for  which  I  required  him  to  endorse  the 
bills  of  lading.  The  merchandize  was  all  sent  to  Are- 
quipa,  the  capital  of  Upper  Peru.  The  intention  of  the 
supcr..argo  was  to  remain  at  Arequipa  in  order  to  effect 
the  sales  of  the  cargo ;  and  his  orders  to  me  were  to 
proceed  forthwith  to  Valparaiso  and  remain  there  until 
further  orders  from  him.  From  ray  observations  on  the 
character  and  competency  of  the  supercargo,  1  foresaw 
that  this  would  be  a  ruinous  voyage ;  on  the  strength 
therefore,  of  this  belief,  I  insisted  that  everv  order  from 
him  to  me  should  be  given  in  writing,  which  was  ac- 
cordingly done.  In  eleven  days  from  Q,uilca  we  anchored 
in  the  port  of  Valparaiso,  and  there  discharged  the  re- 

29 


mtmlittlm 


83t 


UPK   ON   THE   OCEAN. 


;l-,.di!i5 


maining  part  of  the  cargo  according  to  order.  We  lay 
in  this  port  nearly  four  months,  and  during  this  period 
there  was  a  slight  shock  of  an  earthquake  once  a  day 
for  forty  days  in  succession.  I  embraced  the  oppor- 
tunity while  here,  in  company  with  several  of  the  officers 
of  the  Franklin,  to  visit  Santiago,  the  capital  of  Chili, 
and  the  famous  springs  of  Caukennes. 

Santiago  is  situated  about  ninety  miles  north-east  of 
Valparaiso,  and  is  one  of  the  most  beautiful  cities  in 
Spanish  America.  It  is  built  nearly  at  the  base  of  the 
first  range  of  the  famous  Cordilleras ;  the  climate  is 
generally  temperate,  although  it  is  sometimes  very  Avarm. 
Ice  has  never  been  known  to  make  in  the  city,  and  yet 
every  day  presents  to  the  vision  the  sublime  and  mag- 
nificent sight  of  the  ijerpetually  snow-topped  and  ice- 
bound rnountains,  to  which  the  muleteers  ascend  and 
bring  loads  of  ice  upon  their  mules,  one  of  the  greatest 
luxuries  in  warm  weather.  Although  the  buildings  of 
this  city  are  neither  so  largo  nor  so  magnificent  as  those 
of  Lima,  yet  they  far  surpass  them  in  neatness  and 
beauty.  They  are  generally  rough-cast  and  white-wash- 
ed, which  give  them  an  air  of  the  most  perfect  cleanli- 
ness. The  streets  are  Avide  and  also  clean,  and  are  laid 
out  at  right  angles.  There  seemed  to  exist  a  corres- 
ponding congeniaUty  throughout  the  community,  for  the 
inhabitants  w^ere  more  sociable  and  more  hospitable  to 
strangers  than  any  Spaniards  I  had  ever  met  with. 

After  romaining  here  one  week,  we  proceeded  to  the 
springs,  a  distance  of  one  hundred  miles  from  Santiago. 
On  this  route  we  were  obliged  to  take  guides,  as  our 
course  lay  sometimes  through  forests  without  any  certain 
marks  to  distinguish  the  way.  It  was  a  journey  full  of 
interest.  Travelling  the  greater  part  of  the  distance  at 
the  base  of  high  mountains,  it  was  not  unusual  to 
see  a  volcano  every  ten  miles.  It  was  a  sublime  sight 
in  the  dusk  of  the  evening  to  behold  these  burning 
mountains  sending  forth  liquid  flames  of  fire.  The  se- 
cond day,  at  four  o'clock,  we  arrived  at  the  banks  of  the 
river  Hatchapal,  fi:om  whence  may  be  seen  on  the  other 


MKMMlAAiiCK-'^ 


3EAN. 

ling  to  order.  We  lay 
and  during  this  period 
earthquake  once  a  day 
;  embraced  the  oppo'"- 
th  several  of  the  officers 
go,  the  capital  of  Chili, 
innes. 

lety  miles  north-east  of 
tiost  beautiful  cities  in 
learly  at  the  base  of  the 
iiUeras;  the  climate  is 
s  sometimes  very  warm, 
ake  in  the  city,  and  yet 

the  sublime  and  mag- 
f  snow-topped  and  ice- 
!  muleteers  ascend  and 
Liles,  one  of  the  greatest 
though  the  buildings  of 

so  magnificent  as  those 

them  in  neatness  and 
gh-cast  and  white-wash- 
the  most  perfect  cleanli- 
l  also  clean,  and  are  laid 
jemed  to  exist  a  corres- 
it  the  community,  for  the 
!  and  more  hospitable  to 
had  ever  met  with, 
sek,  we  proceeded  to  the 
red  miles  from  Santiago, 
d  to  take  guides,  as  our 
)rests  without  any  certain 

It  was  a  journey  full  of 
er  part  of  the  distance  at 

it  was  not  unusual  to 
It  was  a  sublime  sight 
to  behold  these  burning 
[flames  of  fire.  The  se- 
rrived  at  the  banks  of  the 
may  be  seen  on  the  other 


LIPB   ON  THE   OOBAN. 


335 


side  on  an  elevation  of  about  one  hundred  and  fifiy  feet, 
the  small  settlement  of  Caukennes.  Here  we  dismount* 
ed  and  the  guides  led  our  horses  across  a  swinging 
bridge,  made  exclusively  of  hides ;  after  which,  in  about 
htdf  an  hour  we  arrived  at  our  journey's  end.  These 
springs  are  famous  for  the  cure  of  epilepsy  and  scorbutic 
eruptions.  They  vary  in  temperature  from  80°  to  160° 
Fahrenheit.  Many  persons  resort  to  this  place  from  all 
parts  of  Chili.  Bathing  in  them  is  said  to  be  a  perfeet 
cure  for  the  diseases  above  named.  As  there  were  none 
of  our  company  diseased,  we  remained  here  but  one  day, 
and  then  started  again  for  Santiago  at  five  in  the  morn- 
ing;  and  incredible  as  it  may  appear,  we  arrived  in 
Santiago  at  six  o'clock  the  same  evening,  changing  our 
horses  three  times  and  resting  two  hours  in  the  heat  of 
the  day,  thus  having  travelled  a  distance  of  one  hundred 
miles  in  eleven  hpurs. 

After  remaining  here  a  few  days,  we  proceeded  imme- 
diately to  Valparaiso,  where  I  found  Mr.  V.  the  super^ 
cargo.  He  informed  me  that  he  had  obtained  a  cargo 
and  forty  poasengors  at  Arequipa,  for  f!ndi7,and  that  we 
must  proceed  forthwith  to  give  the  ship  such  repairs  as 
were  necessary,  with  provisions,  stores,  &c.  and  then 
repair  immediately  to  Quilca,  where  the  cargo  and  pas- 
sengers would  be  in  readiness. 

Now  as  this  place  was  in  a  state  of  blockade,  and  as 
there  were  none  of  our  men-of-war  here  at  present, 
great  risk  would  be  incurred  in  attempting  to  enter  that 
port  without  a  convoy.  Again,  the  expenses  of  an  out- 
fit for  this  expedition  would  be  very  great,  and  without 
some  guarantee  ;,'>  cover  the  expense  and  risk,  I  believed 
the  whole  expedition  to  be  perfectly  unjustifiable.  I 
learned  from  Mr.  V.  however,  that  he  had  no  ^aiantee 
whatever,  except  the  bare  word  of  the  Spaniards.  I 
remonstrated  with  him  upon  the  great  uncertainty  which 
would  attend  the  whole  of  this  enterprise ;  all  was  in 
vain.  He  gave  me  written  orders  to  fit  the  ship  out  as 
before  stated.  Two  surveys  were  called  by  the  United 
Stat^'  consul,  and  their  reports  were  that  the  ship  muitt 


I   II  iiiilliim'iilliillnW 


336 


LIFE   ON  THE   OCEAN. 


;t:;iH#i. 


mr- 


be  caulked,  coppered,  and  that  she  must  have  a  new 
mizzenmast,  with  some  new  sails,  &c.  This  was  ac- 
cordingly done,  which  together  with  the  provisions, 
stores,  &.C.  amounted  to  the  enormous  expense  of  six 
thousand  dollars.  Every  thing  being  now  in  complete 
readiness,  we  got  under  way  From  Valparaiso,  without 
convoy,  and  in  a  few  days  were  off  the  port  of  Q,uilca. 
As  none  of  the  blockading  squadron  were  seen,  we  run 
in  and  came  to  an  anchor.  Mr.  V.  went  on  shore,  and 
to  his  great  surprise  and  mortification,  learned  that 
neither  cargo  nor  passengers  were  there.  This  was 
what  I  had  expected. 

■Written  orders  were  received  from  him  to  get  under 
way  and  cruise  off  and  on  for  fifteen  days,  at  the  expira- 
tion of  which  the  ship  was  to  come  into  port ;  and  in 
the  meantime  he  assured  me  that  the  cargo  and  passen- 
gers would  be  in  readiness  to  be  taken  on  board.  All  this 
was  done  in  accordance  with  his  commands ;  but  when 
the  ship  re-entered  the  port  neither  cargo,  passengers, 
supercargo,  nor  letters  were  awaiting  for  me.  Here 
then,  I  was  in  a  blockaded  port,  liable  every  hour  to 
seizure.  lu  this  dilemma,  I  sent  an  Express  to  Mr.  V.  at 
Arequipa,  but  received  no  answer.  Seven  days  passed 
away,  during  which  three  expresses  were  sent,  but  with 
no  better  success,  for  no  tidings  could  be  heard  of  him. 

On  the  eighth  day,  at  2  p.  m.  a  sail  was  seen  in  the 
ofiing,  but  as  it  was  quite  calm  she  could  not  get  in, 
neither  could  we  get  under  way  to  go  out.  Believing  the 
sail  to  be  one  of  the  blockading  squadron,  every  pre- 

guation  was  made  to  defend  the  ship  as  long  as  possible, 
efore  night  closed  in,  we  ascertained  the  sail  to  be  a 
schooner,  and  as  such  I  did  not  fear  her  much,  as  we 
had  six  guns  and  twenty  good  men.  At  eight  o'clock 
a  boat  was  seen  approaching  the  ship,  which  was  order- 
ed to  keep  off,  but  after  some  expostulation  she  was 
permitted  to  come  alongside.  Permission  was  granted 
to  the  officer  of  the  boat  to  come  on  deck ;  he  proved 
to  be  an  Englishman,  said  that  he  belonged  to  the 
Peruvian  man-of-war,  outside,  and  that  he  had  been 


MlftiNiiHMkMl 


Imust  have  a  new 
This  was  ac- 
|th  the  provisions, 

)us  expense  of  six 
now  in  complete 

alparaiso,  without 
Ithe  port  of  Quilca. 
were  seen,  we  run 
vent  on  shore,  and 
ition,  learned  that 

there.    This  was 

n  him  to  get  under 
days,  at  the  expira- 
i  into  port ;  and  in 
i  cargo  and  passen- 
,  on  board.  All  this 
niiands ;  but  when 
'  cargo,  passengers, 
ng  for  me.  Here 
iable  every  hour  to 
^xpress  to  Mr.  V.  at 
Seven  days  passed 
were  sent,  but  with 
id  be  heard  of  him. 
ail  was  seen  in  the 
le  could  not  get  in, 
out.  Believing  the 
uadron,  every  pre- 
)  as  long  as  possible, 
led  the  sail  to  be  a 
ar  her  much,  as  we 
.  At  eight  o'clock 
p,  which  was  order- 
ostulation  she  was 
dission  was  granted 
1  deck;  he  proved 
e  belonged  to  the 
that  be  had  been 


UFK   ON  TH£   OCEAN. 


337 


sent  by  his  commander  to  inform  me,  that  this  port  was 
under  a  state  of  blockade  by  the  Peruvian  government, 
and  that  as  I  b'"^  violated  it,  of  course,  I  must  consider 
the  ship  au  a  pn-.e  to  the  Peruvian  schooner  Loienzo. 
I  replied- that  the  strength  of  the  vessels  must  be  tested 
before  I  could  think  of  giving  up  my  ship.  F.e  was 
then  ordered  into  his  boaf.,.and  away  they  went. 

All  hand'^  lay  at  quarters  'luring  the  night,  and  In 
the  moriiing  at  daylight  the  schooner  was  within  a  hsdf 
mile  of  us  pulling  in  with  her  sweeps ;  when  about 
three  hundred  yards  distant,  she  lowered  and  manned 
her  boat,  at  the  same  time  we  manned  two  of  the  ship^s 
boats.  I  took  charge  of  one,  and  gave  the  other  to  the 
second  mate,  leaving  the  first  mate  on  board  to  use 
the  large  guns  should  they  be  needed.  As  soon  as  the 
schooner's  boat  pulled  off,  we  pulled  away  also  in  our 
two  boats,  I  gave  orders  previously  to  the  second  mate, 
that  when  we  were  abreast  of  the  schooner's  boat  that 
we  must  close  in  and  capture  her,  and  then  immediately 
board  the  schooner.  It  was  the  work  of  but  a  few 
minutes.  The  Spanish  boat  was  captured  without  re- 
sistance, and  we  boar  'ed  the  schooner  under  the  cover 
of  our  own  guns.  '''  ,  'ing  done,  I  run  her  in  and 
anchored  her  asterr  '■  -■  ship,  spiked  her  large  gun, 
threw  all  her  smaL  ^  i.^a  and  ammunition  overboard, 
and  moored  her  boats  alongside  of  the  ship.  The 
schooner  was  d'"tained  until  we  were  ready  to  sail  and 
then  their  vessel  was  given  up  to  them. 

Tlie  detention  of  this  vessel  may  perhaps  be  thought 
an  unwarrantable  proceeding,  but  it  will  be  recollected 
tbst  my  ship  had  been  convoyed  by  the  United  States 
shi  ;>  FraakUn  to  this  port  after  the  declaration  of  the 
blockade,  so  that  I  had  sufficient  proof,  that  the  Aqteii- 
c^n  authorities  in  these  seas  did  not  acknowledge  it.  I 
had  not  only  a  right  to  defend  my  ship,  but  also  to  put 
it  out  of  the  power  of  the  schooner  to  capture  or  surprise 
us  in  any  way ;  and  farther,  it  will  be  seen  that  neces- 
sity compelled  me  to  do  this,  a',  the  schooner  had  fifty 
men  and  one  long  twelve  pounder  on  a  pivot,  a  feaiiiil 
odds  against  twenty  men  and  six  small  guns. 
a9» 


\\ 


% 


n 


u 


■.■■ti'infuiini,  ,-,nmUiiim»mi0mJiifmtikimitiiymtiiiitMM 


!?? 


338 


LIFE   ON  THE   OCEAN. 


Seven  days  more  passed  away  and  no  communication 
was  received  from  Mr.  V.  although  I  frequently  heard 
that  he  was  dashing  away  in  great  style  with  a  Spanish 
lady,  whom  he  afterwards  married.  Now,  to  remain 
here  any  longer  would  be  exceedingly  hazardous,  be- 
cause some  one  of  the  large  vessels  composing  the 
blockading  squadron  was  hourly  expected,  and  as  forty 
days  had  passed  away  since  we  first  came  down  to  this 
port,  and  there  being  no  probability  whatever  that  any 
thing  would  be  done  by  the  supercargo.  Weighing  all 
these  considerations  maturely,  I  resolved  in  order  to 
save  the  ship,  to  proceed  immediately  to  the  Unifsd 
States. 

Accordingly  the  next  day,  June  3rd,  1824,  after  lettmg 
the  schooner  free,  weighed  anchor,  made  all  sail,  and 
stood  to  sea,  homeward  bound. 

I  shall  for  the  s^ke  of  brevity,  pass  over  the  space  of 
five  weeks  and  conduct  my  readers  once  more  along  a 
vast  tract  of  ocean,  and  if  he  is  not  tired  with  a  stormy 
and  cold  region  near  to  the  South  Shetland  Isles,  I  will 
again  place  him  on  board  the  ship  Chauncey,  surround- 
ed with  field  g  and  islands  of  ice  in  the  latitude  of  58 
degrees  south  the  12th  July.    It  will  be  recollected  that 
this  is  the  depth  of  winter  in  this  region,  daylight  con- 
tinuing only  about  four  hours,  and  the  meridian  altitude 
of  the  sun  about  \S  degrees.    The  situation  of  the  ship 
at  this  time  was  perilous  in  the  extreme.    At  daylight 
in  the  morning  after  we  had  gotten  into  the  field  icc, 
no  end  could  be  seen  to  it  from  the  mast-head.    For- 
tunately, however,  it  was  broken  into  pieces  of  various 
sizes,  with  mushy  ice  between  them.    No  pen  or  im- 
agination can  describe  the  horror  of  this  situation.   The 
intensity  of  the  cold  may  be  conceived  from  the  fact, 
that  Fahrenheit  then  stood  fifteen  degrees  below  zero 
at  the  entrance  of  the  cabin.    The  great  danger  arising 
ftom  the  probability  that  the  ice  would  cut  our  ship 
through  increased  our  fears;  add  to  which  the  uncer- 
tainty when  we  should  get  clear  of  the  ice,  wad  the 
positive  certainty  that  we  could  not  exist  a  long  time  in 


[f. 

no  communication 
I  frequently  heard 
yle  with  a  Spanish 
.  Now,  to  remain 
igly  hazardous,  he- 
als composing  the 
pected,  and  as  forty 
,  came  down  to  this 
whatever  that  any 
irgo.  Weighing  all 
3solved  m  order  to 
ely  to  the  Unifsd 

■d,  1824,  after  letting 
,  made  all  sail,  and 

ss  over  the  space  of 
5  once  more  along  a 
tired  with  a  stormy 
Ihetland  Isles,  I  will 
3hauncey,  surround- 
n  the  latitude  of  58 
11  be  recollected  that 
region,  daylight  con- 
ihe  meridian  altitude 
situation  of  the  ship 
:treme.    At  daylight 
3n  into  the  field  icc, 
le  mast-head.    For- 
ito  pieces  of  various 
3m.    No  pen  or  im- 
f  this  situation.   The 
iceived  from  the  feet, 
I  degrees  below  zero 
great  danger  arising 
would  cut  our  rfiip 
to  which  the  unfier- 
r  of  the  ice,  wad  the 
t  exist  a  long  time  in 


LIFE   ON  THE   OCEAN. 


339 


this  cold  region;  despair  evidently  appeared  in  the 
countenances  of  the  crew,  and  although  death  stared  us 
in  the  face,  yet  it  was  not  a  time  for  me  to  flinch  or 
falter.    For  the  space  of  a  lew  moments,  alone  in  the 
cabin,  I  commended  myself  and  crew  to  the  care  and 
mercy  of  that  God,  v  ho  had  so  often  delivered  us  from 
danger,  and  whose  eye  never  slumbers  nor  sleeps  ;  after 
this  every  fear  seemed  *n  vanish,  and  I  consulted  with 
the  officers  as  to  the  best  method  of  protecting  the  ship 
from  the  ice.     This  was  don;  by  ruu'iing  a  grass  cable 
round  the  bows  of  the  ship  ;'nd  lashiig  it  to  the  bow- 
sprit shroud-bolts.     Two  inch  plank  ^i^ere  then  placed 
up  and  down  and  secured  t'l  the  same  bolts  near  the 
water's  edge ;  then  a  large  rough  spar  was  mn  out  to 
the  end  of  the  bowsprit,  on  the  end  of  which  was  a 
strong  strRrs  -.  to  this  was  hooked  a  tackle  from  the  end 
of  the  bowsprit,  so  that  by  hoisting  and  lowering  alter- 
nately it  might  break  the  ice  ahead  of  the  ship.    After 
all  these  preparations  were  made  to  shield  the  bows 
from  being  cut  through,  I  resolved  to  make  as  much  sail 
as  possible,  and  press  the  ship  through  the  ice,  and 
steer  away  to  the  northward     This  was  accordingly 
done  as  long  as  daylight  would  permit.    At  sunset, 
however,  no  clear  place  was  seen,  and  she  was  pressed 
through  the  ice  until  midnight,  when  the  sails  were 
furled  and  we  lay  by  until  half  past  nine  the  iiext 
morning,  that  being  the  time  of  daylight.    The  wind 
now  blew  a  pretty  strong  gale  from  the  south-west,  and 
the  ice  was  undulating  like  the  waves  of  the  sea,  while 
the  sea-fowl,  among  which  were    hu^e   albatrosseis, 
gathered  around  us  'b  great  Aumbers,  as  if  instinctively 
awaiting  the  hour  of  destruction  to  seize  upon  us  for 
their  prey.     In  vain  we  strained  our  utmost  vision  to 
btjhold  a  clear  place  of  blue  water ;  alas  no  joyful  sight 
of  this  kind  was  visible.    Once  more  sail  was  made  on 
the  ship,  and  ^cain  was  she  pressed  through  the  ice 
throughout  the  dia>.    At  sunset  not  only  our  ears  but 
our  hearts  were  saluted  with  the  cheering  and  joyfUl 
intelligence  fcom  the  mast-head,  that  a  clear  place  of 


I 


I:- 
m 


»,*iitmM»»4tUmlt 


■  --i^/Jnsi»«9iHi^  i#'- 


l|.l...,l;,J     If.',     III.IJ      l.,|l 


\3 


ij— WP "im     m 


340 


LIFE   ON   THE   OCEAN. 


blue  water  two  points  on  the  larboard  bow  was  in  sight. 
Darkness  closed  in  upon  us,  before  which,  however,  the 
bearings  of  this  clear  place  were  taken.  We  steered 
directly  for  it  and  before  midnight  we  reached  it,  when 
the  ship  was  hove  to.  The  next  morning  it  was  al  clear 
away  to  the  northward  of  us,  and  by  twelve  o  clock  that 
day,  the  ice  both  field  and  islands  were  far  away  to  the 
southward  and  eastward.  The  cable,  planks,  and  spar, 
were  all  taken  on  board,  a  press  of  canvas  was  set  on 
the  ship,  and  at  sunset  there  was  no  ice  to  be  seen  Irom 
the  mast-head.  -  i  .    .i,„ 

We  had  a  fine  run  round  the  Cape  and  passed  to  the 
eastward  of  the  Falkland  islands.  The  peculiar  cir- 
cumstances by  which  we  had  been  surrounded  for  the 
last  few  days,  and  the  great  deliverance  which  had  been 
wrought  out  for  us,  not  only  made  a  deep  impression  on 
iny  mind,  but  it  also  acted  upon  those  of  the  seamen ; 
many  of  them  became  serious  and  thoughtful,  and  1 
had  reason  to  believe  that  the  impression  made  upon ' 
their  minds  in  consequence  of  the  many  difficulties  and 
perils  through  which  wo  had  passed,  produced  salutary 
effects,  at  least  with  some  of  them.  For  my  own  part  1 
was  more  deeply  convinced  than  ever  of  the  necessity 
of  a  thorough  change  in  heart  and  life,  in  order  to  be  at 
all  times  prepared  for  the  various  casualties  consequent 
upon  a  sea-life.  .  . 

The  wind  continued  strong  and  fair  and  the  ship 
bounded  over  the  blue  ocean  at  a  rapid  rate,  nor  was 
there  any  cessation  until  we  had  crossed  the  equinoctial 
line  and  reached  the  parallel  of  12°  north,  when  six 
days  of  interminable  calm  with  alt  its  train  of  anxieties 
were  endured ;  after  which  the  north-east  trade  wind 
sprung  up  and  carried  us  into  the  variable  latitude ;  and 
with  but  little  intermission,  we  took  the  wind  to  the 
southward  which  run  us  into  the  Chesapeake  Bay, 
ninety-one  days  from  Quilca.  In  two  days  we  anchored 
in  the  port  of  Baltimore,  after  an  absence  of  nearly  two 
years,  making  the  passage  in  ninety-three  days. 
It  may  be  supposed  that  no  small  ^egree  of  astonish- 


"'tinr- ""''"'  '     — ■— ^■ 


I. 

bow  was  in  sight, 
liich,  however,  the 
iken.  We  steered 
e  reached  it,  when 
ling  it  was  all  clear 
twelve  o'clock  that 
ere  far  away  to  the 
,  planks,  and  spar, 
canvas  was  set  on 
ice  to  be  seen  from 

5  and  passed  to  the 
The  peculiar  cir- 
urrounded  for  the 
ce  which  had  been 
Jeep  impression  on 
)se  of  the  seamen ; 
thoughtful,  and  I 
ressiou  made  upon" 
any  difficulties  and 
,  i)roduced  salutary 
For  my  own  part  I 
er  of  the  necessity 
fe,  in  order  to  be  at 
sualties  consequent 

fair  and  the  ship 
rapid  rate,  nor  was 
ssed  the  equinoctial 
J°  north,  when  six 
ts  train  of  anxieties 
rth-east  trade  wind 
riable  latitude ;  and 
»k  the  wind  to  the 

Chesapeake  Bay, 
'O  days  we  anchored 
sence  of  nearly  two 
-three  days, 
degree  of  astonish- 


LIFE   ON  THE   OCEAN. 


341 


ment  existed  among  the  owners  wV  ni  ^  is  ruinous  and 
disastrous  voyage  was  made  known  to  them.  Of  course, 
1  came  in  for  a  share  of  the  blarne,  and  yet  there  was 
no  transaction  connected  with  this  voyage,  (except  the 
fact  of  my  assuming  the  responsibility  to  return  home 
with  the  ship,)  for  which  I  could  be  justly  censured, 
having  acted  in  all  respects  according  to  the  letter  of 
my  instructions,  and  having  also  written  orders  from 
Mr.  V.  for  all  that  had  been  done.  It  wm  exceedingly 
fortunate  for  me  that  the  bills  of  lading  vere  receipted 
by  Mr.  V.  or  the  shippers  would  have  made  me  respon- 
sible for  their  property.  Thus  ended  a  voyage  full  of 
privations,  hardships,  and  perils,  alike  ruinous  to  the 
owners  and  shippers,  for  with  the  exception  of  eighteen 
thousand  dollars,  not  one  cent  was  ever  received  from 
the  supercargo,  who  married  and  scaled  at  Arequipa, 
soon  run  through  with  all  his  .neans,  and  closed  his 
career  among  Spaniards. 

How  necessary,  in  view  of  this  statement  of  facts, 
together  with  many  other  similar  circumstances  which 
I  iiave  before  stated,  that  commanders  of  vessels  should 
make  themselves  capable  of  transacting  the  vicarious . 
business  of  any  and  all  voyages  he  mav  be  called  upon 
to  prosecute;  and  I  am  thoroughly  convinced  that  in 
one  half  the  ruinous  voyages  that  are  made,  the  loss  i^ 
owing,  principally  to  the  utter  incompetency  of  the 
supercargo  entrusted  with  the  management. 


,.^:^-j-^y.^^' . 


«/l 


I?:..  'A 


CHAPTER  XXXI. 

KELIOIOUS  IMPRESSIONS  AND  HAPPY  RESULTS — SAIL  POR  HAVANA 
AND  SOUTHERN  POflTS-— RENCONTRE  WITH  HRATF-3  ONBOARD — 
THEIR  CAPTURE  AND  DELIVERY  TO  THE  AUTHORITIES  OF  NEW 
ORLEANS.  " 

The  solemn  impressions  made  on  tny  mind  by  the 
many  perilous  circumstances   in   which   I   had  been 
placed,  were  strengthened  from  the  fact,  that  in  many 
instances  human  friendship  exists   in  just  the   same 
ratio,  as  temporal  interest  is  served ;   and  again,  that  no 
permanent  or  lasting  happiness  can  be  enjoyed  apart 
from  that  feast  which  is  only  within  the  province  of 
religion  to   bestow.     Tiie  necessity  of  its  enjoyment, 
therefore,  now  became  the  primary  object  of  my  pursuit, 
and  although  I  felt  the  pride  of  ray  heart  a  serious 
obstacle  to  its  accomplishment,  yet  so  deep  and  power- 
fill  were  the  convictions  of  my  mind  in  reference  to  the 
unsafety  of  niy  condition,  that  even  this  obdurate  pride 
did  not  prevent  me  from  making  use  of  the  meanSj  both 
public  and  private.    In  this  state  of  mind,  therefore,  I 
waited,  in  expectation  that  through  the  medium  of  these 
channels  I  should  receive  the  desire  of  my  heart.  When 
therefore  the  great  deep  of  my  soul  was  broken  up, 
when  I  realized  the  imbecility  of  my  own  power  to  save, 
in  a  word,  when  I  felt  that  Jesus  Christ  had  cancelled 
the  debt  which  I  had  incurred  to  divine  Justice,  and 
when  faith  laid  hold  upon  him  as  my  only  surety,  then 
it  was  that  joy  and  gladness  sprung  up  in  my  soul,  the 
burden  of  sin  was  removed,  and  I  felt  a  peace  indescrib- 
able and  heretofore  unknown.    Nor  was  this  state  of 
happiness  confined  exclusively  to  myself.    The  one  of 
all  others  whom  I  desired  to  be  a  sharer  of  the  saiAe 
blissful  feelings  had  long  before  my  arrival  obtained  a 
like  precious  raith. 


l'«fl»IWIIilii»li'« "" 


■Ji 


wv¥(f**P'I'"f>  ^-  ■ 


a — SAIL  FOR  HAVANA 
HRATF-3  OK  BOARD — 
LUTHOHITIKS  or  MEW 

tpy  mind  by  the 
lich  I  had  been 
fact,  that  in  many 
n  just  the  same 
nd  again,  that  no 

be  enjoyed  apart 
1  the  province  of 
3f  its  enjoyment, 
ect  of  my  pursuit, 
y  heart  a  serious 
)  deep  and  power- 
in  reference  to  the 
his  obdurate  pride 
)f  the  meanSj  both 

mind,  therefore,  I 
e  medium  of  these 
f  my  heart.  When 

was  broken  up, 
)wn  power  to  save, 
rist  had  cancelled 
iivine  Justice,  and 
r  only  surety,  then 
up  in  my  soul,  the 
t  a  peace  indescrib- 

was  this  state  of 
iTself.  The  one  of 
sharer  of  the  saniid 

arrival  obtained  a 


LIVE   ON   THE   OCEAN. 


348 


The  ship  Chauncey  was  again  loaded  and  ready  for 
sea,  boimd  for  Havana;  we  sailed  on  the  25th  of  Octo- 
ber and  arrived  at  the  latter  place  on  the  7th  of  Novem- 
ber. The  cargo  was  immediately  sold  and  a  good  offer 
obtained  for  the  ship,  which  was  accepted,  and  sha  was 
accordingly  sold  for  the  benefit  of  nil  concerned. 

In  the  course  of  three  weeks,  !  was  again  in  the 
enjoyment  of  all  the  comforts  of  domestic  and  social 
life,  and  being  resolved  if  possible,  never  to  subject 
myself  again  to  the  whiles  and  caprices  of  men,  who 
know  not  how  lo  appreciate  the  hardships  and  perils  of 
seamen.  With  these  feehngs  upp'.'rniost  in  my  mind,  I 
purchased  a  sharp  sohooncr  of  ahnut  a  hiuidrcd  tons 
burthen,  and  ol)taiiied  a  freight  li)r  the  Havana;  my 
intention  being  to  cMU|)loy  her  between  tliat  port,  New 
Orleans,  and  one  other  of  tlie  southern  jxirts  iii  the  Uni- 
ted States.  Having  now  the  sole  control  of  vessel  and 
cargo,  of  course  1  was  at  lil)erty  to  adopt  sucli  regula- 
tions as  my  judgment  dictated;  and  as  the  religion  of 
the  Bible  is  an  expansive  principle  and  breathes  good 
will  to  all  men,  so  I  dntormined  to  institute  its  forms  on 
board  of  my  vessel,  and  disseminate  its  precepts  among 
the  seamen  under  iny  oonunand. 

The  scliobner  being  ready  for  sea,  we  sailed  the 
beginning  of  January,  ISg-"),  and  from  the  commence- 
ment of  this  voyage — although  the  cross  was  heavy,  for 
I  had  some  old  refractory  sailors  to  deal  with — I  had 
prayers  twice  in  the  week,  and  worship  twice  on  the 
Sabbath  day.  Uy  a  judicious  and  proper  treatment 
towards  tlio  sailors,  tiie  great  difficulty  which  I  h«^d 
anticipated  to  induce  them  to  conform  to  these  rule^', 
very  soon  vanished ;  and  I  am  confident  from  expe- 
rience, that  if  due  regard  be  observed  to  the  feelings 
and  comforts  of  seamen  (and  this  may  be  done  without 
relaxing  in  the  'east  from  a  good  state  of  discipline) 
while  on  shipboard,  they  may  be  brought  under  reli- 
gious impressions  with  greater  facility  than  landsmen. 
The  good  effects  of  the  observances  of  religion  were 
abundantly  manifest  in  some  of  the  seamen  during 


344 


LIFE    ON  THE    OCEAN. 


the  voyages  1  made  in  this  vessel,  and  particularly  so 
in  time  of  danger  and  peril,  which  existed  to  an  alarm- 
ing degree ;  for  it  must  be  recollected  that,  at  about  this 
period  the  ocean  swiumed  with  pirates,  who  were  com- 
mitting great  depredations  about  Cuba  and  the  Gulf  of 

Mexico.  ^,  . 

It  so  happened  that  on  one  of  my  voyages  trorn 
Havana  to  New  Orleans,  thnt  1  had  taken  nine  Spanish 
passengers  and  a  young  American  midshipman,  who 
once  belonged   to   Porter's  tleot,  and   who   had  been 
..  „unded  in  a  boat  skirmish  with  the  pirates.     1  his 
young  gentleman  was  going  to  join  his  friends  in  New 
Orleans,     He  undcrstodd   the   Spanish  language  and 
spoke  it  fluently,  as  well  as  myself.    After  gettituf  under 
way  from  Havana,  and  stretching  over  to  the  Tortugas 
bank,  the  young  midshipman,  while  1  was  alofl,  watch- 
ing  the  mancEUvres  of^  a   vessel   then  in  .sight,  over- 
heard the  Spanish  passengers  concert  a  plan  to  take  the 
schooner  that  night  and  throw  all  the  crew  overboard, 
and  then  run  her  into  Galveston,  which  at  that  period 
was  a  rendezvous  for  pirates.     They  were  not  awar- 
that  the  midshipman  understood  the  Spanish  language, 
consequently    their    most   barbarous    intentions    were 
learned  from  their  own  lips,  and  communicated  to  me 
by  the  midshipman,  they  supposing  of  course,  1  was 
ignorant  of  their  diaboUcal  plans,  and  that  we  should 
fall  an  easy  prey,  because  there  being  but  eight  of  us 
altogether,  and  they  calculated  that  one  watch  alone 
woiild  be  on  deck.     1  made  the  crew  acquainted  with 
the  intentions  of  the  Spaniards,  and  although  there  was 
no  weapon  on  board  except  an  old  sabre,  yet  I  made 
the   following  disposition,   in  case  of  an  attack ;  four 
sailors  were  armed  with  handspikes  and  commanded  to 
walk  the  deck  during  the  night;  the  cook  a  very  stout 
coloured  man  was  ordered  to  fill  his  coppers  full  of 
water  and  keep  it  at  boiling  heat,  so  that  in  the  event 
of  a  rush  of  the  Spaniards  he  was  to  drench  them  with 
the  scalding  water  -,  the  mate  was  placed  at  the  helni 
with  a  rigger's  large  marlinspike ;  and  I  took  charge  of 
the  whole  concern  with  the  old  sabre  in  hand. 


nd  particularly  so 
listed  to  an  alarm- 
that,  at  about  this 
!s,  who  were  com- 
a  and  the  Gulf  of 

ny  voyages  from 
iken  nine  Spanish 
rniilshipman,  who 
d   who   had  been 
Lhe  pirates.    This 
liis  friends  in  New 
lish  language  and 
Ifter  getting  under 
er  to  the  Tortugas 
I  was  aloft,  watch- 
Bn  in  sight,  over- 
;  a  plan  to  take  the 
le  crew  overboard, 
lich  at  that  period 
3y  were  not  awar" 
Spanish  language, 
3   intentions    were 
mmunicated  to  me 
w  of  course,  I  was 
nd  that  we  should 
ig  but  eight  of  us 
t  one  watch  alone 
i\v  acquainted  with 
although  there  was 
sabre,  yet  I  made 
of  an  attack ;  four 
and  commanded  to 
3  cook  a  very  stout 
lis  coppers  full  of 
30  that  in  the  event 
»  drench  them  with 
placed  at  the  helm 
id  I  took  charge  of 
3  in  hand. 


iHHiMHl 


LIFE   ON  THE   OCEAN. 


84S 


W.„.,<w     (iiiiritirjiig.. 


In  order  that  the  reader  may  bettor  understand  all  the 
manmuvres,  I  will  state  as  clearly  as  possible  the  plan 
laid  by  the  Spaniards.  As  is  comirioiily  the  case  with 
all  sharp  schooners,  ours  had  a  long  trunk,  in  the 
forward  part  of  which  was  a  hutcliway  loading  into  the 
steerage,  whore  the  Spanish  passengers  slept.  One  of 
the  hatches  was  usually  adjuslod  in  its  place  and  the 
other  hatch  placed  on  top  of  it.  The  plan  concerted  by 
the  Spaniards  was,  to  have  one  of  their  number  sleep 
on  deck,  on  the  starboard  side  of  this  hatchway,  ana 
another  on  the  larboard  side,  while  a  third  was  to  sleep 
on  a  hencoop,  which  extended  across  tlie  whole  breadth 
of  the  deck  abaft  the  tiller  rojKJS,  and  the  remainder  of 
them  were  to  go  below  as  usual.  The  signal  for  the 
attack  was  as  (bllows :  the  S))aiiiard  who  slept  on  the 
starboard  side  was  to  give  three  raps  with  the  ringbolts 
as  a  signal  for  those  below  to  rush  out  and  overcome 
the  sailors,  and  the  one  who  slept  on  the  larboard  side 
at  the  same  instant  was  to  kill  the  ollit^er  of  the  deck, 
while  the  third,  who  slept  on  the  hencoop  abaft,  was  to 
silence  the  man  at  the  helm. 

With  the  deepest  anxiety  I  waited  the  attack  until 
midnight,  when  the  Spaniard  on  the  larboard  side  arose 
and  walked  forward.  At  this  point  1  cautioned  the 
mate  to  watch  the  Spaniard  abaft,  and  if  he  moved  or 
showed  any  disposition  to  an  attack,  to  knock  him  in 
the  head  with  his  marlinspike.  I  (hen  placed  a  man 
with  a  handspike  by  the  side  of  the  cook,  and  ordered 
them  in  case  the  Spaniards  below  attempted  to  rush  on 
deck,  to  get  the  other  hatch  on  if  possible  and  fasten 
•hem  down,  or  if  they  found  this  to  be  impracticable, 
then  to  use  the  handspikes  and  administer  the  hot 
water  as  copiously  as  they  chose  ;  but  in  no  case  what- 
ever was  this  to  be  done  unless  they  first  made  the 
attack.  I  then  went  forward  where  sat  the  large  Span- 
iard on  the  forescuttle  with  his  capota  thrown  around 
him.  At  this  moment  the  preconcerted  signal  was  given 

I     by  the  Sijaniard  abaft.    My  antagonist  before  me  rose 

I  30 

L 


m 


"'     iin.imwp 


wmmfm^-- 


346 


LIFE   ON   THR   OCEAN. 


and  drew  liis  kiiifu,  wliicli  I  iinmodiatuly  struck  nut  of 
his  liauiJ  with  my  !<ahre.  Finding  hinisclfditiunnt'd  ho 
beggud  (i)r  uiurcy.  it  was  the  work  of  a  ntoinont  to 
throw  hiiu  down  tho  l()rc.sontlli)  and  bar  it  Ujx>u  him. 
Kn.shiii<{  atl  iunut'diittfly,  1  found  tho  cook  had  made 
good  uso  of  his  boihng  water,  fiir  while  tiie  8i>nniard» 
attempted  to  gain  the  deck,  they  oncountored  to  their 
utter  astonish. 'loiit  the  scathing  of  this  t(u'ribl  and 
irresisliltle  we!i|Kin,  Ciuising  them  to  retreat  as  rapidly  as 
they  had  advanced.  After  some  further  rt'sistauce  on 
their  j>art  we  succeeded  in  getting  the  hatch  on,  and 
securing  thoin  below.  The  two  reniuining  Spaniards 
who  were  now  on  deck,  and  who  were  the  most  pronii 
ncnt  actors  in  this  ira;;ical  scimhs  seeing  that  all  their 
plans  were  t'rnstratcd,  like  dastardly  cowards  fell  upon 
their  knees  and  sued  li)r  mercy.  'I'hoy  were  tied  hand 
and  foot  and  lashed  down  to  tho  ringbolts  on  deck. 
In  the  morning  at  daylight  1  made  them  come  up  one 
art"  r  another,  and  lashed  them  in  tlio  samt  way  I  had 
the  others.  Two  of  them  had  boon  considerably  scalded , 
and  I  hud  inflicted  a  small  wound  on  tho  wrist  of  the 
miscreant  who  had  drawn  his  knife  upon  me.  After 
they  were  all  well  secured  aiul  lashed  to  the  deck,  their 
truidts  and  baggage  were  examined,  and  the  contents 
consisted  of  pistols,  dirks,  knives  and  carabines,  with  all 
sorts  of  balls,  buck-shot,  and  a  large  quantity  of  gun- 
powder. 

With  all  these  proofs  against  them,  it  may  be  thought 
singular,  that  1  did  not  make  them  walk  the  plaiik. 
There  was  a  time  perhaps  when  in  the  heat  of  excite- 
ment such  atrocities  would  have  met  with  summary 
punishment ;  fortunately,  however,  my  judgment  in- 
flueni^ed  by  a  higher  power  triumphed,  and  their  lives 
•were  spared,  in  the  midst  of  this  wild  scene  of  excite- 
ment. In  four  days  we  arrived  at  New  Orleans,  and 
after  a  protest  was  entered,  these  pirates  were  dellvenjd 
up  to  the  proper  authorities ;  but  such  was  the  influence 
exerted  by  the  Spaniards  and  French  at  this  period  in 
this  place,  that  very  little  could  be  done  with  these  mis- 


atcly  struck  out  of 
itnsflf  ilinurtiied  \\v 
I  of  a  moment  to 

bar  it  uixin  him. 
till)  cook  had  made 
hilc  the  Spaniards 
ncounterecl  to  their 
f  this  Ku'riltl  and 
retreat  us  rapidly  as. 
rlher  rtisistancc  on 

tlie  liatch  on,  and 
uiainiiig  Spaniards 
i3re  the  most  promi 
oeing  tliat  ail  their 

cowards  fell  upon 
hoy  were  tied  hand 

ringbolts  on  deck. 
,fhem  come  up  one 
;ie  sami'  way  1  had 
onsiderably  scalded, 
on  the  wrist  of  the 
lie  upon  me.  After 
3d  to  the  deck,  their 
d,  and  the  contents 
d  carabines,  with  all 
je  quantity  of  gun- 

1,  it  may  be  thought 
!m  walk  the  plank, 
the  heat  of  excite- 
met  with  summary 
,  my  judgment  in- 
)hed,  and  their  lives 
irild  scene  of  excite- 
t  New  Orleans,  and 
irates  were  delivertjd 
ch  was  the  influence 
ich  at  this  period  in 
lone  with  these  mis- 


IWIfl 


LIPE   ON   THE    OCEAN. 


84T 


ereants  in  order  to  bring  them  to  that  condign  punish- 
ment wliich  thoy  so  richly  iloserved. 

Five  voyages  woro  made  in  this  schooner  between 
Havana,  Matanzas,  and  Charleston,  South  Carolina; 
and  it  will  bo  uiinecessarv  to  enter  into  all  the  minu- 
tia  and  detail,  I  would  state,  however,  that  with  very 
low  exceptions,  the  ollicers  and  cnnv  riiinainod  with 
me  nearly  every  voyage,  and  I  hud  the  satisluction  to 
believe  that  the  moral  feelings  of  the  seamen  were  in 
some  degree  advanced  by  the  course  which  was  adopted 
on  board  of  my  vessel.  After  many  hairbreadth  escui»!s 
and  dangers,  and  after  having  been  hard  chased  by  the 
pirates,  I  shall  conclude  this  series  of  voyages  by  giving 
a  description  of  a  piratical  chase  olf  the  Double-lleuded 
Shot- Keys  on  tiic  last  of  these  voyages. 

Let  the  reailer  take  passage  with  me  from  Charleston, 
South  Carolina,  as  far  as  tlie  Salt  Key  Hank,  and  th3U 
imagine  himself  to  bo  on  board  of  a  sharp  schooiier, 
under  a  heavy  press  of  canvas,  with  a  fair  wind,  having 
just  cleared  the  Double  Headed  Shot  Keys,  and  steering 
away  south-west  for  Matanzas.  If  he  can  place  himself 
in  the  position  before  stated,  he  will  have  a  tolerably 
correct  idea  of  the  chase  in  view. 

At  meridian  the  seaman  at  the  mast-head  was  ordered 
to  take  a  good  look  around  the  horizon  and  then  come 
down  to  dinner ;  he  reported  nothing  in  sight,  btit  as  I 
never  felt  perfectly  composed  in  mind,  when  in  the 
neighbourhood  of  this  region  at  this  {wriod,  I  went  aloft 
myself,  and  soon  discovered  a  sail  about  six  points  on 
the  larboard  bow,  standing  directly  for  us,  and  so  close 
that  the  men  could  be  distinctly  seen  on  her  decks  with 
a  spy-glass.  By  a  little  manceuvring  I  soon  ascertained 
that  she  was  a.".y  thing  but  a  friend.  Our  studdingsails 
being  on  the  larboard  side,  they  were  shifted  so  as  to 
bring  her  on  the  starboard  tack,  and  prevent  the  strange 
sail  from  cutting  us  off,  which  appeared  to  be  her  object. 
She  was  a  large  sloop  under  a  very  heavy  jwess  of  can- 
vas, and  had  closed  in  with  us  so  much  (not  being  more 
than  gunshot  off)  that  we  could  distinctly  see  her  deck 


n-<tmmm> 


348 


LIFE   ON  THE   OCEAN. 


full  of  men.  Up  to  this  time  we  had  stood  on  our  course, 
but  it  now  became  necessary  from  the  suspicious  look- 
ing character,  of  the  strange  sail,  to  haul  away  from  her 
and  try  our  rates  of  sailing.  Our  yards  were  accordingly 
trimmed  so  that  every  sail  would  draw.  The  very  mo- 
ment that  we  altered  our  course  and  hauled  off  from  the 
sloop,  she  run  up  a  large  red  flag,  emblematic  of  a  pirate, 
and  let  us  have  a  shot,  which  fell  at  a  little  distance  astern 
of  us.  Our  situation  now  was  a  critical  one ;  if  perchance 
her  shot  should  cut  away  any  one  of  our  spars,  of 
course  we  should  be  taken  and  no  doubt  all  of  us 
put  to  death,  as  many  others  had  been.  Resistance 
would  be  worse  than  viseiess,  because  there  were  but 
eight  of  us.  Still  ]  had  a  long  French  six-pounder 
mounted  on  a  very  high  carriage,  so  that  it  could  be 
elevated  above  the  rail.  The  pirate  now  appeared  to 
gain  upon  us  slowly,  which  seemed  to  have  a  powerful 
effect  upon  the  crew.  The  schooner  was  then  trimmed 
with  all  possible  exactness,  by  running  the  gun  aft,  and 
placing  the  water  casks  a-niidships.  Again  all  was 
silent;  the  one  in  chase  let  slip  a  shot  which  fell  on  our 
starboard  beam.  The  yawing  and  discharging  her  bow- 
chaser,  had  the  effect  to  drop  her  a  little  astern.  For 
twenty  minutes  she  was  narrowly  watched,  and  it  be- 
came evident  that  we  were  now  gaining  upon  the  rascal ; 
exasperated  doubtless  on  seeing  we  were  outsailing  him, 
he  opened  a  brisk  fire  upon  us.  Fortunately,  however, 
but  one  single  shot  took  efl'ect,  which  cut  away  the 
quarter  piece.  It  was  now  our  larn.  Being  positive  that 
we  could  outsail  him,  the  stars  and  stripes  were  run  up 
to  the  peak,  and  we  gave  him  a  shot  from  Mademoiselle 
Maria,  as  our  gun  was  christened  by  one  of  the  sailors. 
The  pirate  coniinued  to  chase  us  about  one  hour  and  a 
half  (nor  was  he  sparing  of  his  shot  so  long  as  we  were 
within  reach)  at  the  expiration  of  which  we  had  gained 
about  two  miles,  and  as  the  breeze  was  fresh,  thie  pirate 
gave  up  the  chase,  hauled  upon  a  wind  and  stood  away 
for  the  Double-Headed  Shot-Keys,  which  was  a  rendez- 
vous for  piratical  cruisers  at  this  period.    We  kept  on 


OCEAN. 


LIFE    ON  THE   OCEAN. 


349 


lad  stood  on  our  course, 
'om  the  suspicious  look- 
,  to  haul  away  from  her 
r  yards  were  accordingly 
d  draw.    The  very  mo- 
and  hauled  oflF  from  the 
,  emblematic  of  a  pirate, 
at  a  little  distance  astern 
critical  one ;  if  perchance 
y  one  of  our  spars,  of 
nd  iio  doubt  all  of  us 
had  been.     Resistance 
because  there  were  but 
ng  French  six-pounder 
so  that  it  could  be 
pirate  now  appeared  to 
^med  to  have  a  powerful 
ooner  was  then  trimmed 
•unning  the  gun  aft,  and 
Iships.     Again   all   was 
a  shot  which  fell  on  our 
id  discharging  her  bow- 
ler  a  little  astern.     For 
wly  watched,  and  it  be- 
gaining  xi^on  the  rascal ; 
we  were  outsailing  him, 
Fortunately,  however, 
;t,  which  cut  away  the 
urn.    Being  positive  that 
and  stripes  were  ntn  up 
shot  from  Mademoiselle 
id  by  one  of  the  sailors. 
IS  about  one  hour  and  a 
shot  SO  long  as  we  were 
)f  which  we  had  gained 
eze  was  fresh,  thie  pirate 
a  wind  and  stood  away 
ys,  which  was  a  rendez- 
s  period.    We  kept  on 


the  same  course  until  the  pirate  was  out  of  sight  from 
the  mast-head,  and  then  hauled  in  for  the  Cuba  shore, 
so  that  if  possible  we  might  get  into  the  Bay  of  Matanzas 
before  morning,  calculating  that  the  pirate  seeing  the 
course  we  steered  when  he  fell  in  with  us,  would 
naturally  judge  that  we  were  bound  to  Matanzas,  con- 
sequently he  would  endeavour  to  get  close  in  shore,  so 
as  to  intercept  us  the  next  morning.  I  was  not  mistaken 
in  this  calculation.  The  schooner  m  as  run  close  into 
the  land,  and  although  the  Pan  of  M.  'anzas  was  seen, 
yet  the  nighi  was  so  dark  that  it  was  ini^  ssible  to  enter 
the  bay;  as  soon,  therefore,  as  we  had  run  within 
musket  shot  of  the  shore,  every  sail  was  lowered  in 
order  to  elude  the  vigilance  of  these  miscreants. 

Thus  we  lay  until  the  morning*  dawn  first  appeared 
in  the  eastern  horizon,  and  then  all  sail  was  made,  there 
being  a  light  breeze  from  the  land ;  but  when  the  morn- 
ing light  chased  away  the  mist  of  darkness,  there  lay 
our  antagonist,  the  pirate,  about  three-quarters  of  a  mile 
distant,  directly  on  our  beam.  In  a  few  minutes  he  was 
under  a  cloud  of  canvas,  and  to  our  great  mortification 
the  land-breeze  died  away,  and  the  sea-breeze  began  to 
set  in  lightly  with  overfalls  and  cat's-paws.  This  of 
course,  brought  the  pirate  to  windward,  with  the  advan- 
tage of  a  breeze  in  his  favour,  when  we  meanwhile 
were  becalmed ;  occasionally,  however,  with  an  over- 
fall the  wind  would  strike  full  into  our  sails  while  his 
\yere  flapping  the  masts.  In  this  way  the  wind  con- 
tinued to  baffle  about  for  half  an  liour,  after  which  it  set 
in  steady  and  fresh  ;  but  the  pirate  had  gained  at  least 
a  quarter  of  a  mile  upon  us.  The  Bay  of  Mantanzas, 
however,  was  now  open,  and  into  it  we  steered  under  a 
press  of  canvas,  the  pirate  following  close  at  our  heels, 
keeping  up  at  the  same  time  a  brisk  fire,  nor  were  we 
very  slow  in  returning  the  like  civilities.  Immediately 
after  wo  hauled  round  the  point  at  the  entrance  of  the 
bay,  one  of  his  shot  passed  through  our  mainsail,  whea 
Mademoiselle  Maria  primming  up  returned  the  compli- 
ment by  cutting  away  his  bumpkia  and  redl.  The 
30* 


350 


LIFE   ON  THE  OCEAN. 


chase  now  became  severe,  and  for  a  short  time  our 
sately  was  exceedingly  doubtful,  in  consequence  ct 
which  I  run  the  schooner  within  pistol  shot  of  the 
beach,  being  determined  to  run  her  on  shore,  rather 
than  risk  our  lives  in  the  event  of  capture  ;  but  as  our 
shot  had  tiircvvn  tiiem  into  some  confusion,  and  as  we 
had  now  readied  abreast  of  the  first  fort,  the  pirate  dis- 
charging the  contents  of  his  large  gun  loaded  with 
grafMJ  and  round  shot,  hauled  his  wind  and  stood  out  of 
the  bay,  while  we  run  in  and  came  to  an  anchor  in  the 
harbour. 

It  may  be  remarked  that  the  general  supposition  was 
at  this  time,  that  a  greater  part  of  the  piratical  vessels 
in  these  seas  were  fitted  out  in  Matanzas,  and  this  may 
account  for  the  fact*,  that  no  notice  was  taken  by  the 
fort  of  the  pirate  which  chased  us  within  two  hundred 
yards  of  it  before  he  hauled  his  wind ;  and  further,  pre- 
viously to  my  leaving  this  port,  the  very  id<3nlical 
piratical  sloop  came  in  as  a  sugar  drogher  from  Havana, 
having  at  tliis  time  only  tour  men  on  board. 

We  lay  here  about  two  weeks,  and  then  took  in  a 
full  freight  and  proceeded  to  New  York,  where  we 
arrived  after  a  passage  of  twelve  days.  The  cargo  was 
all  discharged,  and  a  liberal  offer  being  made  for  the 
schooner,  she  was  sold ;  and  very  soon  afterwards,  I 
found  myself  again  surrounded  by  my  family  and  friends, 
with  a  grateful  heart  for  having  been  delivered  from  so 
many  dangers  and  perils  during  a  year's  absence. 

From  the  exposure  to  the  heat,  and  the  great  anxiety 
which  had  fallen  to  my  lot  during  the  last  year,  I  per- 
ceived a  sensible  diminution  in  the  strength  of  my 
vision.  It  will  be  recollected  that  I  had  navigated  those 
seas  which  were  infested  by  pirates  of  the  most  sangui- 
nary and  bloody  character,  and  the  heart  sickens  not 
only  at  the  recital,  but  at  the  reflection  of  the  numerous 
atrocious  murders  committed  by  Gibbs  and  his  asso- 
ciates, about  this  period.  Being  almost  constantly  for 
a  year  in  the  vicinity  where  those  outlaws  were  carrying 
on  their  bloody  tragedies,  it  may  be  supposed  that  my 


:mi'  M 


■■WWt^^TtWA'iW.i 


LIFE   ON  THE   OCEAN. 


351 


a  short  time  our 
n  consequence  o.i 
pistol  shot  of  the 
ir  on  shore,  rather 
apture  ;  but  as  our 
nfusion,  and  as  we 
fort,  the  pirate  dis- 

gun  loaded  with 
id  and  stood  out  of 
to  an  anchor  in  the 

ral  supposition  was 
he  piratical  vessels 
mzas,  and  this  may 
3  was  taken  by  the 
ithin  two  hundred 
i ;  and  further,  pre- 

the  very  idontif^al 
igher  i'rom  Havana, 
[)  board. 

md  then  took  in  a 
f  York,  where  we 
rs.  The  cargo  was 
being  made  for  the 

soon  afterwards,  I 
y  family  and  friends, 
m  delivered  i'rom  so 
ear's  absence, 
nd  the  great  anxiety 

the  last  year,  I  per- 
he  strength  of  my 

had  navigated  those 

of  tlie  most  sangui- 
,e  heart  sickens  not 
ion  of  the  numerous 
3ibbs  and  his  asso- 
ilmost  constantly  for 
utlaws  were  carrying 
B  supposed  that  my 


mind  was  in  a  constant  i»tate  of  excitement  and  anxiety. 
These  circumstances  then,  connected  with  the  heat  of 
the  climate,  and  the  almost  uninterrupted  labour  en- 
dured by  the  eyes,  acutely  affected  the  optic  nerve  and 
produced  as  before  stated,  an  incipient  state  of  inflam- 
mation and  a  partial  deprivation  of  sight.  It  became 
necessary,  therefore,  to  enter  upon  a  course  of  medical 
treatment,  which  was  accordingly  submitted  to,  and 
happily,  so  great  a  benefit  was  experienced,  that  I  was 
again  in  a  condition  to  pursue  my  vocation  on  the 
ocean. 

Once  more  then,  I  am  in  command  of  one  of  the  most 
beautiful  models  of  a  vessel  that  ever  floated  on  the 
ocean — I  mean  a  Baltimore  clipper  schooner,  of  one 
hundred  and  forty  tons  burthen,  with  proportions  as 
scrupulously  exact  as  if  turned  out  of  a  mould.  The 
workmanship  was  in  all  respects  as  neatly  executed  as 
if  intended  as  a  beautiful  specimen  of  cabinet  excel- 
lence ;  her  spars  were  in  perfect  symmetry  of  proportions 
with  the  hull,  and  she  sat  upon  the  water  like  the  sea- 
bird  that  sleeps  at  ease  on  the  mountain  billow.  The 
destination  of  this  beautiful  craft  was  a  hazardous  one, 
because  it  was  in  the  vicinity  of  tuose  seas  infested  by 
pirates,  viz.  the  Gulf  of  Mexico.  Her  intended  employ- 
ment was  mainly  to  bring  specie  from  thence  to  the 
United  States.  She  was  well  armed  and  manned,  and 
possessed  a  pair  of  heels,  as  report  had  it,  that  would 
outstrip  the  wind. 

December  20, 1825. — Being  ready  for  sea,  the  wings  of 
this  beautiful  craft  were  spread  to  the  breeze,  and  in  a 
few  minutes  with  noiseless  speed,  hke  a  swift  dolphin, 
she  was  skimming  over  the  bosom  of  the  river,  bound 
to  Campeachy,  Laguna,  and  Tampico,  in  the  Gulf  of 
Mexico.  In  twenty-six  hours  we  had  n^t  only  dis- 
charged our  pilot,  but  we  were  out  of  sight  of  land, 
scudding  away  with  a  brisk  north-west  gale,  and  in 
two  days  and  a  half  we  crossed  the  Gulf  stream.  '  So 
great  was  the  transition  from  the  extreme  cold  weather 
in  the  Bay,  that  now  we  could  not  bear  the  weight  of 
our  winter  clothing. 


353 


LIFE    ON  THE   OCEAN. 


m 


The  crew,  six'ien  in  number,  were  stout  able  sea- 
men, and  the  officers  were  young  men  of  some  educa- 
tion, and  active,  fearless  seamen.  The  sarae  rules  and 
regulations  in  reference  to  morals  and  religious  obser- 
vances, and  the  same  judicious  treatment,  were  adoj.ted 
with  this  crew,  i  iuforced  on  my  last  voyages.  I  soon 
perceived  that  jreat  respect  and  deference  were  paid  at 
the  usuc.l  period  i  c  ur  devotion,  and  profane  language 
was  banished  .'m  ise  ;  and  as  I  have  before  stated,  no 
spirituous  liquois  were  permitted  to  be  used,  but  instead 

as  tea,  coffee,   sugar,  &c. 
The  good  elfects  of  this 


thereof,  small  stores,  such 


were  abundantly  supplied. 

measure  were  incalculable  ;  no  jarring  or  wrangling,  no 
debilitated  frames,  or  inability  to  discharge  the  duties  of 
the  vessel,  was  known  among  tiie  crew ;  they  were 
cheerful  and  ol)edient,  prompt  in  the  execution  of  every 
command,  ready  and  willing  at  all  tirnes  to  defend  the 
officers  and  vessel  at  the  risk  of  their  lives.  In  such 
a  crew  I  had  the  most  unbounded  confidence  and 
could  trust  them  in  times  of  the  greatest  hazard  and 
][>ei'il :,  and  perils  will  and  did  transpire  as  will  be  seen 
hereafter. 

The  wind  continued  fair,  and  I  had  not  been  deceived 
in  the  reports  of  the  schooner's  sailing ;  in  fact,  it  seemed 
like  enchantment,  when  on  the  morning  of  the  sixth 
day,  after  leaving  Cape  Henry,  we  struck  soundings  on 
the  Bahama  banks,  and  pas^ad  the  Moro  light  on  the 
seventh  night.  The  speed  of  her  sailing  was  almost 
incredible,  and  with  a  fair  chance  I  did  not  fear  any 
vessel  that  floated  the  ocean. 

In  ten  days  we  arrived  at  the  small  port  of  Sisal,  in 
the  province  of  Yucatan,  the  capital  of  which  is  Merida, 
situated  about  forty  miles  south-v.cdt  of  the  port  town. 
The  port  of  Sisal — if  it  may  be  called  a  port — has  no 
shelter  whatever,  and  is  exposed  to  the  whole  sweep  of 
the  Gulf,  and  the  northers  which  blow  with  great  vio- 
lence. The  place  has  a  custom-house  and  a  large  fort, 
garrisoned  with  about  fifty  soldiers.  About  forty  houses 
miserably   constructed,  constituta  the  town.     Their 


tMiir>>i*»i^»i«iij*  iVii 


re  stout  able  sea- 
II  of  some  ediica- 
le  sarae  rules  and 
id  religious  obser- 
lent,  were  adoi>ted 
,  voyages.     I  soon 
rence  were  paid  at 
I  profhne  language 
'c  before  stated,  no 
e  used,  but  instead 
loffee,   sugar,  &c, 
»od  etTects  of  this 
g  or  wrangling,  no 
harge  the  duties  of 
crew,   they  were 
execution  of  every 
times  to  defend  the 
5ir  lives.     In  such 
id   confidence  and 
reatest  hazard  and 
pire  as  will  be  seen 

d  not  been  deceived 
y;  in  fact,  it  seemed 
irn.ng  of  the  sixth 
truck  soundings  on 
!  M.iro  light  on  the 
sailing  was  almost 
1  did  not  fear  any 

all  port  of  Sisal,  in 

of  which  is  Merida, 

■dt  of  the  port  town. 

illed  a  port— has  no 

the  whole  sweep  of 

dIow  with  great  vio- 

use  and  a  large  fort, 

About  forty  houses 

the  town.     Their 


LIFE   ON  THE   OCEAN. 


353 


mode  of  living  would  indicate  an  arrear  of  a  century  at 
least  in  civilization.  A  long  pier  or  wharf  strongly  con- 
structed extends  out  a  hundred  feet  beyond  the  surf, 
which  rolls  in  heavily.  On  this  pier  are  first  landed  the 
merchandise,  which  is  afterwards  to  be  transported  by 
the  Indians  to  the  custom-house,  a  distance  not  less 
than  a  quarter  of  a  mile.  After  discharging  a  part  of  the 
cargo  here,  we  proceeded  forthwith  to  Campearhy, 
Laguna,  and  Taiiipico,  at  which  several  places  the 
remaining  part  was?  discharged  and  specie,  indigo,  cochi- 
neal, and  logwood,  were  taken  in  for  Baltimore,  where 
we  arrived,  performing  the  v.)yage  in  seven  weeks,  and 
loaded  immediately  again  for  the  same  j.orts. 

Six  voyages  were  inoae  in  this  vessel,  and  as  I  have 
detailed  a  genera!  account  in  the  first,  as  regards  the 
ditferent  ports  and  the  nature  of  the  business,  I  shall 
content  myself  with  detaihr  g  exclusively  the  more 
prominent  circumstances  which  transpired  during  the 
reniaimng  voyages. 


I 


MWMMMMMMK^iMiHMi 


r:/'i: 


■m 


PMlMMltfli 


CHaPTER    XXXII. 


PIRATICAL    CHASE    AND    :  AHROW     Eirf-APK- 

SEA,    &C. 


-RELl'.KHJS     SCii-y.    AT 


As  on  the  former  vov.igcs  in  tin^-o  seas,  st  iiow,  the 
mind  was  in  a  contin'i:i!  fate  of  excitement  and  anxi<'.tv 
with  conflictin'T  perplexities;  the  most  promm'.'nt  ol 
which  were  the  danger  of  liie  pirates  the  UUif  ^iiii  navi- 
catinu  and  ihe  snrronnding  hazard  and  joril  while  Iv- 
mu  Ui  port  iu  the  (Jnlf.  With  all  the  n  e^nbarrat^P- 
ri').;ts  to  contend  ag;nusi.  it  acted  npon  rny  i)hysic:.! 
fra  Mc  and  npon  niv  sichl  delrimentflly.  On  ihe  se- 
cond vovra--v.  when  ontward  honiid,  and  while  crossing 
tlie  Croiichu  Baidt,  running  under  easy  sail  at  night 
to  a\oi  I  ."  dangerous  shoal,  and  also  bein-  overbur- 
sfien«i'  with  anx^i^ty,  I  remained  on  deck  until  hiidnight. 
Kehoved  by  the  chief-mate,  1  gave  him  strict  orders  to 
keep  a  good  look-out,  not  only  for  the  shoai  but  also 
for  any  vessels  which  might  come  within  siglii,  and  m 
the  event  of  falling  in  with  one  he  was  to  call  me 

immediately.  .  ,     *u„ 

The  schooner  was  at  this  time  running  undurthe 
foresail  alone,  the  other  sails  being  lowered  down  but 
not  furled.  I  threw  myself  on  the  locker  below  and 
was  soon  lost  m  sleep,  from  which  I  was  aroused  by 
the  mate  informing  me,  that  there  was  a  sail  close  on 
our  weather  beam.  I  sprang  on  deck  immediately, 
but  the  strangf  had  already  kept  away  and  was  close 
under  our  stern,  and  the  first  thing  with  which  I  was 
saluted  '  vas  a  musket  shot,  which  came  whizzing  about 
our  ear  J  and  passed  through  the  foresail.  The  stranger 
rounded  to  under  our  lee,  and  presented  one  of  the 
most  frightful  specimens  of  a  piratical  craft  that  I  had 


ELl'.KHJS     SCi!««    AT 

seas,  so  now,  the 
ment  and  anxi^'tv 
i.sl  proniiiv-'nt  ol 
tlnj  (iiiii^^iiii  navi- 
nd  i  ■iril  while  ly- 
tht  !i  <.'!!barrat^p- 
ipon  my  physic :ii 
'lly.  ()n  die  se- 
nd whilcf  crossing 
easy  sail  at  night 
3  bein;.:  overbur- 
ck  until  liiidnight. 
im  stricf  orders  to 
he  shoai  but  also 
ithin  siglii,  and  in 
5  was  to  call  me 

unning  undur  the 

owtred  down  but 

locker  below  and 

I  was  aroused  by 

was  a  sail  close  on 

leek  immediately, 

way  and  was  close 

with  which  I  was 

ne  whizzing  about 

sail.     The  stranger 

sented  one  of  the 

jal  craft  that  I  had 


fnir*'' 


■yewfij^pwi' 


LIFE    ON   THE    OCEAN. 


355 


ever  witnessed.  He  hailed  in  broken  English,  ordered 
nie  to  lieavc  to,  and  he  wovild  mnid  a  boat  on  board. 
Perceiving  at  once  that  the  coniniaiidor  was  either  no 
sailor,  or  that  lie  hud  mistaken  the  character  of  my  ves- 
S'  i  by  running  his  craft  to  leeward,  1  look  advantage  of 
hiy  ignorance.  My  men  were  stationed,  some  at  the 
i;iHsii  halyards,  others  at  the  tbre-topsuil  and  jib-halyards, 
and  fr.  soon  as  his  boat  was  swinging  in  tiie  tackles 
I) "I'r  iiie  side,  they  had  orders  to  hoist  the  sails  up  with 
all  {lossible  'espatch,  at  the  same  time  the  most  profound 
silence  was  to  be  observed.  I  knew  this  was  our  only 
chance,  to  make  lb  best  of  our  way,  and  then  run  the 
luz!::'i  of  her  fire  ;  lor  if  tlie  pirate's  boat  was  permitted 
to  cOiiio  on  board,  all  would  then  be  k)st.  Therefore,  I 
preferred  the  chance  of  having  some  of  our  spars  cut 
i)way,  or  even  the  loss  of  some  of  our  lives,  than  to  give 
up  the  vessel  witli  the  absolute  certainty  that  the  whole 
of  us  would  be  sacrificed  by  ttiese  atrocious  marauders. 
At  lengtli  the  looked  for  moment  came,  the  pirate's 
boat  was  swung  in  tlie  tackles  over  the  side,  our  sails 
^vent  cheerily  aloft,  and  in  a  few  minutes  our  beautiful 
craft  was  bounding  over  the  smooth  sea  ut  the  rate  of 
ten  knots  per  hour.  Quickly  there  v-as  a  broad  sheet 
of  flame  issuing  from  the  i)irate's  bows,  and  whisUing 
came  the  deadly  shot,  which  fell  at  least  a  quarter  of  a 
mile  ahead  of  us.  My  lads  were  all  firm  and  undaunted. 
It  was  a  moment  that  called  for  energy  and  decision  of 
character.  Shot  after  shot  passed  over  us,  but  as  yet 
none  had  done  any  execution,  and  as  it  became  neces- 
sary to  increase  our  ppeed  in  order  to  get  out  of  gunshot 
if  possible,  orders  were  given  to  get  the  squaresail 
aloft,  ease  off  the  main-sheet,  and  run  the  long  nine- 
pounder  aft.  These  orders  were  instantly  executed, 
and  with  the  additional  press  of  canvas,  she  like  a  dol- 
phin when  hard  chased  by  the  ravenous  shark,  seemed 
to  jump  out  of  the  wa^er,  for  she  was  now  running  off 
t  valve  knots,  and  the  pirate  as  the  shark,  sped  on  in 
full  chase,  under  a  cloud  of  sail,  keeping  up  the  while 
a  brisk  fire  with  single  shot ;  but  as  the  distance  be- 


L 


356 


LIFE    ON   THE    OCEAN. 


H,i' 


tween  us  was  increasing  every  moment,  nnd  the  pirate 
no  douht,  b(  'oming  exasperated  at  our  superior  sailing, 
yawed  and  ^.  vc  us  his  whole  broadside,  whidi  cut 
away  the  lowei  Hidduig-sail  boom,  and  one  shot  passed 
tlirongli  our  stpia.  .\il.  Tiiis  was  !iis  last  success,  for 
by  the  time  lie  hauled  up  again  in  our  wake  and  fired 
his  next  shot,  it  fell  short  of  the  mark.  Then  we  re- 
turned his  coaxing  civilities  in  compliments  of  Ids  own 
heart's  choice,  by  letting  liim  have  a  shot  from  our  long 
nine-pounder.  It  coidd  not  be  ascertained  whether  the 
return  favour  did  execution  or  was  pocketed  as  a  gross 
affront,  but  nevertheless,  the  wild  steering  which  fol- 
lowed was  con-lusive  that  the  pirate  nmst  have  been 
thrown  into  conl'usion  by  some  circumstance  transpiring 
at  the  moment  when  we  fncd.  In  fifteen  minutes  from 
this  time  we  were  fur  beyond  the  reach  of  his  shot,  and 
continued  to  lun  under  a  press  of  canvas  during  the 
remainder  of  t|ie  night.  The  next  morning  our  unwel- 
come companion,  the  ])irate,  was  not  to  be  seen. 

This  voyage  was  concluded  in  safety,  notwithstand- 
ing there  were  many  circumstances  connected  with  it 
of  an  exceedingly  perilous  character.  The  unerring 
hand  of  Providence  was  always  stretched  fortli  to  deliver 
me,  not  only  from  butchery  of  the  ))irate,  but  also  from 
the  appalling  storms  with  which  we  had  to  contend  on 
the  coast  of  America. 

It  may  he  worthy  of  remark — as  has  before  been 
hinted  at — that  the  same  crew  and  officers,  with  the 
exception  of  one,  remained  with  me  during  five  succes- 
sive voyages,  notwithstanding  fo  much  hazard  was 
connected  with  them.  Indeed,  the  moral  state  of  feel- 
ing which  seemed  to  have  taken  hold  of  the  seamen 
was  as  remarkable  as  it  was  gratifying.  Fearless  in  the 
hour  of  danger,  they  were  consietent  and  serious  in 
those  hours  net  apart  for  devotional,  exorcises,  and  at  the 
same  time,  they  were  under  the  most  perfect  state  of 
discipline,  as  their  coolness  and  intrepidity  exhibited  in 
the  many  trying  circumstances  which  we  were  called 
upon  to  pass  through,  and  as  will  be  further  seen  by 
the  following  narration. 


;nt,  and  the  pirate 
ir  superior  sailing, 
[idside,  w'hicli  cut 
rid  one  shot  passed 
is  last  success,  for 
lur  wake  and  fired 
irk.  Tiien  we  re- 
iiiionts  of  his  own 
sViot  from  our  long 
ained  whether  the 
K)ckcted  as  a  gross 
leering  which  fol- 
e  must  liave  been 
iistancc  transpiring 
flccn  minutes  from 
_'h  of  his  shot,  and 
canvas  during  the 
orning  our  unwel- 
to  be  seen, 
fety,  notwithstand- 

connected  with  it 
;r.  The  unerring 
bed  forth  to  deliver 
irate,  but  also  from 

had  to  contend  on 

5  has  beforo  been 
officers,  \\ith  the 
during  five  succes- 
much  hazard  was 
moral  state  of  feel- 
old  of  the  seamen 
g.  Fearless  in  the 
mt  and  serious  in 
xorcises,  and  at  the 
ost  perfect  state  of 
ipidity  exhibited  in 
ich  we  were  called 
be  further  seen  by 


tgnmm 


LIFE   ON  THE   OCEAN. 


367 


On  the  fifth  voyage,  after  having  discharged  ali  the 
outward  cargo,  and  having  completed  the  lading  of  our 
return  cargo  at  Campeacny,  nothing  was  wanting  but 
the  papers  from  the  consignee,  to  be  in  readiness  to 
sail.  I  shall  have  to  digress  in  order  to  give  the  rea- 
der an  idea  of  the  harbour  of  Campeachy,  so  that  he 
may  the  better  comprehend  tlie  situation  of  my  vessel 
in  the  perilous  incident  which  I  am  about  to  narrate. 

The  harbour  of  C'amptiachy  has  but  little  depth  of 
water  and  is  not  capable  of  aduiiiting  vessels  that  draw 
more  than  six  feet,  consequently  those  of  a  heavier 
draught  are  necessarily  obliged  to  anchor  two  or  three 
miles  from  the  landing  or  city.  This  was  my  situation, 
and  as  before  stated,  being  ready  for  sea  with  the  excep- 
tion of  my  papers,  I  went  on  shore  in  ttie  afternoon  with 
tlie  sea  breeze,  iiiteiuliiig  to  go  off  with  the  land  breeze, 
which  generally  sots  in  about  ten  o'clock  at  night.  I 
had  not  been  many  minutes  in  the  counting-house  of 
my  consignee,  wlien  a  stout  Spaniard,  bearing  the  ap- 
pearance of  a  seaman,  entered,  and  taking  Mr.  M.  apart, 
made  tlie  fbllowing  alanniiig  relation,  which  was  im- 
moiliately  communicat<;d  to  mo,  viz.  That  a  plan  had 
been  matured  by  eighty  Spaniards  to  go  olF  that  night 
ill  two  vessels  and  capture  the  schooner,  and  that  these 
miscreants  had  made  application  to  him  to  make  one  of 
the  party.  It  being  now  (bur  o'clock,  the  safety  of  my 
vessel  and  the  lives  of  the  crew  depended  entirely  upon 
my  getting  off  that  night  by  ten  o'clock,  because  those 
oil  board  would  not  be  aware  of  this  diabolical  plot,  and 
ot  course  would  be  unprepared  to  give  them  a  proper 
reception.  The  sea  breeze  still  blowing  fresh,  it  was 
impossible  to  get  off  in  my  own  boat  with  but  two 
hands.  There  was  a  boat  close  by  with  six  hnud.T 
belonging  to  a  French  ship,  which  lay  far  out  in  tho 
offing.  1  made  application  to  the  captain,  who  was  then 
on  shore,  to  let  this  boat  take  me  on  board  of  my  vessel, 

L which  was  immediately  granted.  Taking  my  men  with 
me  we  succeeded  in  reaching  the  schooner  about  nine 
o'clock  that  night.    The  French  boat  went  on  board  of 


358 


LIFE   ON  THE   OCEAN. 


her  own  vessel  immediately.  So  far  then  all  was  yet 
well.  As  soi  II  as  I  had  made  known  to  the  otficers  and 
crew  tlio  sanguinary  plot,  which  was  about  to  be  enact- 
ed, the  anchor  was  lilted  and  our  position  altered  by 
running  half  a  mile  out  to  seaward.  The  anchor  was 
then  let  go  under  foot,  and  the  sails  lowered  down  but 
not  furled.  The  two  long  nine[)ounders  were  loaded 
naarly  up  to  their  uin/.zles  with  langrnge  and  grape 
shot,  and  all  the  suiiill  arms,  such  as  muskets,  pistols, 
cutlasses,  <S,c,  were  nu  stered  on  deck.  Supposing  they 
would  attack  us  simultimoously  ahead  and  astern,  one 
of  the  long  nines  was  run  aft  and  the  other  forward, 
with  an  e(|U!il  division  of  the  small  arms  as  well  as  the 
boarding  pikes  among  the  men.  These  preparations 
being  made,  the  liylils  were  all  extinguislied  except  two 
matches,  which  cnuld  not  l»e  seen,  and  then  all  hands 
were  summoned  to  the  quartc-r  deck. 

"My  lads,"  said  I,  "since  we  have  been  together  in 
this  vessel,  we  have  been  called  uixin  to  pass  through 
many  pcrilovis  scenes,  and  1  have  never  had  any  reason 
so  far,  to  doubt  your  firmness  and  courage.  You  will 
probably  again  bo  called  upon  tc  night  to  defend  this 
vessel ;  her  safety  and  our  lives  depending  upon  your 
firmness  and  cood  conduct.  These  cowardly  Spaniards 
suppose  they'  will  fall  upon  us  unawares,  and  thereby 
we  shall  beeome  easy  victims  to  their  treachery.  I  hope 
to  prove  this  nia'it  that  American  seamen  are  not  only 
alert,  but  also  iully  competent  to  beat  off  these  dastardly 
marauders,  altbouch  tliey  may  far  exceed  us  in  numbers. 
I  expect  they  will  eome  upon  us  head  and  stern,  there- 
fore, we  will  di\  i  lo  ourselves  into  equal  parties;  Mr.  W. 
the  chief  ofliecr  v/ill  take  command  of  the  forecastle,  and 
I  will  look  out  for  tho  c|unrter-deck.  Let  there  be  no 
confusion  or  disorder,  and  not  a  shot  be  fired,  until 
orders  are  given  to  that  e"ocf,  after  which,  you  are  to 
load  and  fire  the  small  ar  with  all  possible  rapidity. 
Should  the  Spaniards  succeed  in  getting  alongside,  the 
boarding-pikes  and  sabres  are  your  best  weapons,  so  use 
them  fi-eely.     If  the  breeze  should  spring  up,  we  will 


UFK   OS  THE   OCEAN. 


359 


then  all  was  yet 
to  the  otficers  and 
about  to  be  enact- 
osition  altered  by 
The  anchor  was 
lowered  down  but 
ndors  were  loaded 
igrnge  and  grape 
s  muskets,  pistols, 
.  Supposing  they 
A  and  astern,  one 
the  other  forward, 
nis  as  well  as  the 
hese  preparations 
uisheci  except  two 
uid  then  all  hands 

e  been  together  in 
[1  to  pass  through 
■er  had  any  reason 
lurage.  You  will 
ght  to  defend  this 
•ending  upon  your 
owardly  Spaniards 
,vares,  and  thereby 
treachery.  I  hope 
inien  are  not  only 
off  these  dastardly 
eed  us  in  numbers. 
d  and  stern,  there- 
lal  parties;  Mr.  W. 
"the  forecastle, and 
Let  there  be  no 
liot  be  fired,  until 
which,  yoti  are  to 
1  possible  rapidity. 
;ting  alongside,  the 
!st  weapons,  so  use 
pring  up,  we  will 


slip  and  get  under  way.  Away  then  to  your  qtiarters 
f<M'ward  and  aA,  and  let  every  man  this  night  prove 
himself  to  bo  aii  American  seaman." 

tu  a  few  miiuttes,  the  most  profound  silence  prevailed 
throughout  tiie  vessel.  It  was  a  clear  starlight  night, 
scarcely  a  cloud  was  seen,  and  to  seaward  the  horizon 
was  well  defined.  In  such  a  niglu  objects  niiglit  be 
distinguished  at  a  long  distance.  No  sound  was  heard 
except  the  reverberation  of  the  roaring  surf,  or  the  skip- 
ping of  a  porpoise  which  ever  and  anon  disturbed  the 
surface  of  the  waters  by  a  deep  splash,  or  the  faint 
moans  through  the  rigging  of  the  expiring  sea  breeze. 

Mleven  o'clock  had  already  passed  away  ;  it  was  an 
hour  of  deep  suspense  and  the  most  intense  anxiety.  I 
had  swept  around  the  horizon  with  the  night-^lass 
during  the  last  half  hour,  but  no  object  was  visible. 
Now,  reflection  busy  with  the  past  brought  in  review 
before  me  the  period  when  I  first  embarked  to  undergo 
the  perils  of  a  sea-life.  How  many  dangers  and  trying 
didiculties  it  had  been  my  lot  to  encounter,  how  many 
hair-breadth  escapes  had  I  passed  unscathed;  amid  the 
storms,  the  battles,  at  the  cannon's  mouth,  in  earth- 
quakes, in  prisons,  in  pestilence,  at  times  when  at  sea 
nearly  deprived  of  ibod  and  water,  and  last  though  not 
least,  among  pirates,  and  yet  out  of  all  these,  I  have  been 
delivered.  This  thought  overpowered  me  with  a  deep 
sense  of  gratitude,  and  although  my  present  situation 
was  perilous  in  the  extreme,  yet  ia  voice  whispered  all 
would  yet  be  well. 

At  midnight  while  ranging  along  the  horizon  with 
the  glass,  I  saw  two  vessels,  the  one  exactly  ahead  and 
the  other  astern ;  the  headmost  vessel  being  at  the 
greatest  distance.  As  it  was  now  perfectly  calm,  and 
as  the  distance  was  lessening  every  moment  between; 
us,  it  was  apparent  they  were  using  their  sweeps.  I 
was  not  mistaken  in  the  opinion  entertained  as  to  their 
manner  of  attack.  The  moment  of  trial  was  at  hand, 
for  the  sternmost  vessel  was  within  gun-shot,  pulling 
direcdy  in  our  wake,  apparently  approaching  us  with 


-  ' i».'l>y«iiiB"i,  «iiiiiiiniwnmiT!«)fy»py>ii*-  —  - 


Mi 


df 


I 


860 


Urr.   ON  THB   OOBAN. 


sreat  caution  *,  th«  one  ahead  was  at  a  murh  greater 
distance.  Orders  weio  now  given  to  run  the  guns  out 
of  the  stern  and  boM'  ports,  elevate  them  with  precision, 
and  let  the  matches  he  ready — to  see  that  the  small  arms 
and  ammunition  were  all  in  readiness,  so  that  tliere  should 
be  no  confusion  ;  and  then  all  hands  were  ordered  aft, 
that  proper  rcs|)ect  might  be  paid  to  the  gentlemen  who 
came  to  visit  u!)  at  so  unseasonable  an  hour  of  the 
UJght.  These  orders  were  quickly  executed.  'I'he 
pirate  was  now  within  two  musket  shot. 

"Are  you  all  ready!" 

"Aye,  aye,  sir !"  was  the  reply. 

I  bii(;klud  on  my  cartridge-box,  thrust  my  pistols  into 
the  belt  and  grasped  a  long  sabre.  I  saw  the  pirate  was 
now  pulling  rapidly  toward  us,  being  ut  this  moment 
but  a  nuisket  shot  off. 

"Is  the  gun  elevated,  and  arc  you  ready?"  The 
affirmatii'e  was  given.  "Fire!"  At  the  same  moment 
we  receivRd  their  fire  of  musketry,  which  was  returned 
in  rapid  succession  by  our  men.  The  pirate  was  now 
close  under  the  quarter,  but  the  screams  of  the  wounded 
and  the  groans  of  the  dying  from  our  galling  fire,  gave 
him  a  severe  check.  lie  hesitated — not  a  moment  wos 
now  to  be  lost.  We  followed  up  this  advantage  by 
pouring  volley  after  volley  in  a  most  galling  fire  with 
musketry  ancl  pistols.  He  was  thrown  into  confusion, 
and  backed  off  with  his  onrs.  When  about  three 
lengths  of  the  schooner  from  us,  the  pirate  pulled  the 
head  of  his  vessel  round,  and  gave  way  with  all  pssible 
despatch  towards  the  shore,  so  as  to  get  out  of  the  reach 
of  our  guns. 

It  was  now  high  time  to  look  after  the  unwelcome 
visitor  ahead.  There  he  lay  about  half  gun-shot  off 
apparently  upon  his  oars,  waiting  no  doubt  to  ascertain 
the  result  of  his  comrade's  reception,  not  caring  to  be  in 
the  vicinity  of  such  hot  work  as  had  been  going  jn  for 
the  last  fifteen  or  twenty  minutes.  A  shot  from  our 
bow  gun,  however,  disturbed  his  repose,  and  as  he 
doubtless  thought  that  the  better  part  of  valor  was  dis- 


rnm. 


tiMlIn  ■■! I 


T- 


at  a  much  greater 
>  run  the  guns  out 
lem  with  precision, 
that  the  small  amis 
so  that  there  should 
s  were  ordered  aft, 
he  gentlemen  who 
)le  an  hour  of  the 
Y  executed.  The 
hot. 


LIPB  ON  THR   OCRAN. 


361 


mst  my  pistols  into 

saw  the  pirate  was 

ug  at  this  moment 

^ou  ready?"  The 
;  the  same  moment 
i^hich  was  returned 
ho  pirate  was  now 
ims  of  the  wounded 
ir  galling  fire,  gave 
-not  a  moment  was 
this  advantage  by 
St  galling  fire  with 
iwn  into  confusion. 
When  about  three 
lie  pirate  pulled  the 
ay  with  all  possible 
get  out  of  the  reach 

ifter  the  unwelcome 
t  half  gun-shot  off 
o  doubt  to  ascertain 
,  not  caring  to  be  in 
d  been  going  on  for 
.  A  shot  from  our 
repose,  and  as  he 
t  of  valor  was  dis- 


cretion, made  the  best  of  his  way  in  shore,  probably 
to  condole  with  his  more  unlucky  companion.  In  this 
affair  two  of  our  mm\  were  slightly  wounded,  and  a  few 
musket  balls  onlored  the  uiain-boom  and  maiiimast 
No  doubt  tlio  littlo  damage  wo  received  was  owing  to 
the  fact,  that  the  pirates  were  confident  of  taking  us  by 
surprise,  but  being  deceived  in  their  expociations,  they 
were  utterly  conloundnd  and  thrown  into  confusion, 
when  tliuy  received  tlio  contents  of  our  long  nine. 
Thus  ended  one  of  the  most  murderous  intentions  (if  it 
had  succeeded)  that  was  ever[)lann(!d  by  man  or  demon. 
The  n(!xt  ni<»riiing  1  wont  ashore  after  my  papers,  and 
saw  the  cralt  that  had  proved  so  unwelcome  a  visitor 
the  previous  nii<lit ;  she  was  coiiipictt'ly  riddled  with  our 
shot;  but  I  coiild  not  ascertain  llio  loss  of  killed  and 
wounded  ;  it  must  have  been  considerable  though  from 
the  immber  of  men  on  board. 

My  papers  being  all  ready  I  immediately  repaired  on 
board,  got  under  way,  and  bade  adieu  to  this  nest  of 
piratical  marauders.  Tlie  voyage  was  safely  concluded, 
and  we  embarked  on"e  more,  when  1  sincerely  desired 
that  it  would  bo  the  last  time  that  we  should  make  our 
acquaintance  with  the  jjirates,  and  esiiccially  as  all 
tliesc  combined  circnuisUmees  had  acted  so  powerfully 
ujxin  my  physical  frame,  tiiat  the  organs  of  vision  had 
become  greatly  impaired,  consequently  1  needed  some 
respite  and  active  treatment. 

Numerous,  however,  as  had  been  the  dangers  and 
privations  connected  with  these  voyages,  yet  there  were 
also  very  many  circumstances,  which  had  left  on  my 
mind  the  most  pleasing  and  gratifying  reflections ;  among 
the  more  prominent  were,  that  moral  and  religious  im- 
pressions had  been  made  on  the  minds  of  the  crew, 
giving  the  most  satisfactory  evidence,  that  by  judicious 
treatment,  little  difficulty  will  be  experienced  to  convince 
I  seamen  of  their  moral  obligations.  Another  source  of 
I       pleasing  reflection  was,  the  order  and  decorum  with 

■  which  the  Sabbath  days  were  spent  at  sea ;   and  as  it 

■  may  not  be  uninteresting  to  the  reader  to  see  how  easily 

I 


31» 


i 


362 


LIFE  ON  THE   OCEAN. 


'''I'  'i  i 


a  sailor  may  be  trained  to  attend  to  the  forms  of  religion 
at  sea,  permit  me  to  give  you  a  description  of  a  Sabbatli 
day's  devotions,  in  the  latitude  of  28°  north  and  73*^ 
west  longitude. 

The  morning  dawn  broke  forth  from  the  eastern 
horizon,  and  as  the  rising  sun  advanced,  the  stronger 
light  scattered  the  mists  of  darkness;  and  when  the 
glorious  orb  presented  its  upper  limb,  the  clouds  dis- 
persed, exhibiting  to  the  eye  an  unbroken  contact  of  £.ky 
and  ocean.  It  was  a  sight  that  would  have  ravished 
the  astonishing  powers  of  Raphael's  pencil.  Briskly 
blew  the  north-east  trade  wind,  and  lightly  flew  our 
beautiful  craft  over  the  bosom  of  the  smooth  blue  ocean. 
The  scene  before  me  in  connection  with  the  wind  and 
the  weather,  and  the  rapid  though  almost  noiseless 
movement  of  our  craft,  all  conspired  to  induce  happy 
yet  solemn  and  devotional  feelings.  Over  the  whole 
expanse  of  the  wide  waste  of  waters  nothmg  was  to 
be  seen  except  now  and  then  a  porpoise  jumping  and 
plunging  into  the  deep  abyss,  or  the  affrighted  flying 
fish  disturbed  by  the  breaking  of  the  water  at  the  bows, 
appearing  to  be  more  like  the  inhabitants  of  the  air  than 
belonging  to  the  finny  tribe;  or,  the  Mother  Carey's 
chicken  with  buoyant  wing  and  twittering  voice,  seemed 
with  its  elastic  tread  upon  the  fluid  stirface,  as  much  at 
ease  as  if  it  stood  upon  a  solid  base,  gathering  what 
perchance  might  fall  from  the  vessel  to  satisfy  its  craV' 
mgs. 

Seven  bells  were  struck,  the  hour  for  rousing  the 
watch  below  to  breakfast.  The  decks  had  been  scrubbed 
and  washed  the  night  previously,, and  were  so  clean 
and  white,  that  you  might  have  spread  the  bleached 
damask  cloth  on  it  for  a  morning's  repast,  without 
i\anger  of  its  being  soiled.  The  breakfast  now  being 
past,  the  awning  was  spread  over  the  whole  length  of 
the  quarter  deck  as  a  screen  from  the  scorching  rays  of 
tho  sun.  At  ten  o'clock  precisely,  the  crew  were  alt 
summoned  to  the  quarter  deck  ;  there  you  might  have 
seen  ten  stout  able  seamen,  with  &ces  that  had  been 


ISAN. 

0  the  fonns  of  religion 
scription  of  a  Sabbath 
3f  28°  north  and  73*^ 

rth  from  the  eastern 
idvanced,  the  stronger 
:ness;   and  when  the 

Umb,  the  clouds  dis- 
ibroken  contact  of  £.ky 

would  have  ravished 
lael's  pencil.  Briskly 
,  and  lightly  flew  our 
the  smooth  blue  ocean, 
on  with  the  wind  and 
)ugh  almost  noiseless 
spired  to  induce  happy 
ngs.  Over  the  whole 
waters  nothmg  was  to 

porpoise  jumping  and 
ir  the  aflft-ighted  flying 
'the  water  at  the  bows, 
labitants  of  the  air  than 
)r,  the  Mother  Carey's 
twittering  voice,  seemed 
uid  surface,  as  much  at 

1  base,  gathering  what 
3ssel  to  satisfy  its  crav- 

I  hour  for  rousing  the 
leeks  had  been  scrubbed 
ily,>and  were  so  clean 
ve  spread  the  bleached 
rning's  repast,  without 
he  breakfast  now  being 
er  the  whole  length  of 
ni  the  scorching  rays  of 
sely,  the  crew  were  all 
,  there  you  might,  have 
ith  &ces  that  had  been 


LIFE   ON  THE   OCEAN. 


363 


bronzed  with  the  sun's  rays,  with  hard  features  and 
brawny  limbs.  Solemn  and  serious  they  sat  on  benches 
placed  on  the  weather  side.  They  were  all  neat  and 
cleanly  dressed  in  a  blue  jacket,  with  white  duck 
trowsers,  check  shirt,  with  the  black  silk  handkerchief 
tied  before  with  the  peculiar  sailor's  knot,  and  the  ends 
flowing  loosely  down  in  front.  The  exercises  com- 
menced by  reading  and  singing  a  hymn  in  which  the 
greater  part  of  the  seamen  joined.  A  short  prayer  was 
then  offered  up  to  which  some  of  them  responded,  es- 
pecially the  first  officer,  who  appeared  to  be  deeply 
affected  ;  after  which  a  chapter  in  the  Bible  was  read  and 
adverted  to,  by  calling  the  attention  of  the  seamen  to  its 
teachings,  and  then  briefly  pointing  out  their  obligations 
to  Almighty  God  for  his  protection  amid  all  their  ex- 
posures. I  showed  them  the  necessity  on  the  principles 
of  gratitude,  as  well  as  for  their  own  safety  and  happi- 
ness, to  repent  of  their  sins,  give  to  God  the  sacrifice  of  • 
their  hearts  and  Uves,  so  in  order  that  they  might  be 
prepared  to  obey  cheerfully  the  time  to  depart ;  and  so 
that  the  coral  pillow  and  seaweed  winding  sheet  might 
have  no  terrors  for  them.  These  simple  though  sincere 
exercises  had  a  most  powerful  eff'ect  upon  the  minds  of 
the  seamen,  and  were  always  concluded  with  singing 
and  prayer. 

A  few  days  were  now  spent  with  comparative  ease  of 
mind,  but  the  wind  soon  wafted  us  on  to  the  vicinity  of 
those  scenes  of  excitement  which  had  so  powerfully 
MfTought  on  my  mind  in  the  preceding  voyages,  nor 
was  it  long  before  it  was  roused  to  the  highest  pitch  of 
action.  A  few  days  previously,  we  had  spoken  a  vessel 
which  had  been  chased  by  the  pirate  Gibbs,  and  which 
informed  us  that  he  would  have  been  captured  but  for 
the  circumstanc*:'  of  falling  in  with  ?  man-of-war  brig, 
while  the  pirato  was  in  chase.  A  minute  description  of 
the  pirate  wai  also  given  to  us  by  this  vessel.  After 
we  had  passed  the  Double-Headed  Shot-Keys  at  day- 
light in  the  morning,  a  vessel  answering  exactly  to  the 
description  of  the  pirate,  was  seen  about  two  miles 


t 


364 


LIFE   ON   THE   OCEAN. 


astern.  For  a  short  time  she  gained  upon  us  rapidly, 
insomuch  that  we  distinctly  made  her  out  to  be  a  vessel 
of  war  and  in  chase  of  us. 

Thus  fa;  we  neither  had  the  squaresail  nor  studding- 
sail  on  the  schooner.  It  was,  however,  now  high  time 
to  try  our  rates  of  speed,  for  no  doubt  remained  but 
that  the  stranger  in  chase  was  the  pirate  Gibbs  ;  accord- 
ingly, our  craft  was  dressed  with  all  the  canvas  that 
could  be  set,  and  hauled  up  so  that  every  sail  would 
draw  on  the  starboard  tack.  The  pirate  was  no  laggard. 
Hour  after  hour  passed,  and  no  perceptible  difference 
was  discovered  in  the  sailing  of  the  two  vessels.  She 
was  nearly  within  gunshot,  and  it  became  absolutely 
necessary  for  our  satety,  that  tiie  pirate  should  be  kept 
at  that  distance,  so  that  lie  raiglit  not  cripple  us  by  cut- 
ting away  any  of  our  spars.  iSometimes  he  appeared  to 
overhaul  us,  and  then  again  it  was  evident  we  had 
gained  upon  him.  It  was  a  fair  trial  of  speed,  and  the 
most  equal  chase  that  I  had  ever  witnessed,  apart  from 
the  design  of  the  one  and  the  wishes  of  the  other. 
When  the  breeze  would  freshen  astern  he  ranged  up 
within  gunshot,  but  evidently  supposing  that  he  would 
at  length  overhaul  us,  he  did  not  fire  his  bow-chaser, 
knowing  that  it  would  have  given  us  the  advantage. 

At  meridian  it  could  not  be  ascertained  that  either 
vessel  had  the  advantage  in  sailing ;  but  the  wind  now 
began  to  slacken  its  force,  and  as  in  a  light  breeze 
nothing  that  was  ever  built  could  probably  sail  faster 
than  this  beautiful  craft,  it  became  evident  that  she 
waa  stealing  away  from  the  pirate.  Exasperated,  no 
doubt,  at  the  prospect  of  losing  his  prey,  he  opened 
a  brisk  cannonade  upon  us ;  but  it  was  in  vain,  for 
every  shot  fell  short  of  the  schooner,  and  every  dis- 
charge from  his  guns  slackened  his  speed  and  gave  us 
a  corresponding  advantage.  At  sunset  we  had  gained 
about  one  mile,  and  when  the  night  set  in  he  was  still 
in  chase.  As  we  had  been  steenng  our  course  during 
the  whole  day,  I  did  not  think  proper  to  change  it  at 
night,  and  continued  to  run  under  a  heavy  press  of  sail. 


LIFE   ON  THE   OCEAN. 


365 


upon  us  rapidly, 
out  to  be  a  vessel 

sail  nor  studding- 
;r,  now  high  time 
abt  remained  but 
iteGibbs;  accord- 
l  the  canvas  that 
t  every  sail  would 
ite  was  no  laggard, 
septible  difference 
two  vessels.     She 
became  absolutely 
te  should  be  kept 
,  cripple  us  by  cut- 
nes  he  appeared  to 
s  evident  we  had 
of  speed,  and  the 
tnessed,  apart  from 
shes  of  the  other, 
tern  he  ranged  up 
sing  that  he  would 
ire  his  bow-chaser, 
3  the  advantage, 
irtained  that  either 
but  the  wind  now 
in  a  light  breeze 
probably  sail  faster 
)  evident  that  she 
,     Exasperated,  no 
is  prey,  he  opened 
it  was  in  vain,  for 
[ler,  and  every  dis- 
3  speed  and  gave  us 
nset  we  had  gained 
t  set  in  he  was  still 
r  our  course  during 
•oper  to  change  it  at 
I  heavy  press  of  sail. 


At  midnight  the  breeze  freshened,  and  obliged  us  to 
take  in  studding-sails. 

At  daylight  in  the  morning  the  pirate  was  again 
about  a  gunshot  and  a  half  astern,  under  a  cloud  of 
canvas.  Our  studding-sails  were  again  set,  but  not 
without  the  expectation  of  losing  the  booms,  sails,  &c. 
as  the  wind  blew  strong  and  our  craft  was  bounding 
over  the  sea  at  the  rate  of  twelve  knots.  It  was  a  hard, 
although  a  most  splendid  chase,  and  I  knew  not  how  it 
would  have  terminated,  if  we  had  not  at  10  o'clock 
fallen  in  with  the  American  man-of-war,  schooner  Shark, 
which,  when  discovered  by  the  pirate,  ca\ised  him  to 
take  in  sail  and  haul  upon  a  wind.  The  last  we  saw 
of  him  was  in  full  flight  from  the  man-of-war,  although 
he  appeared  to  outsail  the  Shark  with  ease. 

We  arrived  at  our  port  of  destination  without  further 
molestation,  and  discharged  our  cargo  at  two  ports,  ther* 
took  on  board  twelve  thousand  dollars  in  specie  and 
proceeded  to  Sisal,  where  we  took  in  a  cargo  of  bagging 
and  grass  hemp,  for  Havana,  and  in  three  days  arrived 
at  the  latter  port,  discharged  the  cargo,  and  haying  a 
large  ofi!er  for  the  schooner,  she  was  sold  according  to 
orders,  and  I  took  passage  for  Baltimore,  where  I  arrived 
safely,  July  20th,  1826. 

It  inw  became  absolutely  necessary  that  active  medi- 
cal treatment  should  be  instituted  for  the  relief  of  my 
vision,  as  the  sight  had  become  so  much  injured  that 
great  fears  were  entertained  of  its  entire  loss  ;  yet  I  was 
unconvinced,  and  would  not  submit  to  active  treatment, 
vainly  supposing  that  the  vision  would  get  stronger  when 
I  went  to  sea.  Every  remonstrance  was  used  by  my 
friends  to  deter  me  from  embarking  again  on  the  ocean, 
before  I  had  submitted  to  the  means  recommended  to  re- 
store my  sight.  But  I  was  young,  and  my  resixtnsibi- 
lities  accumulating  every  day,  it  was  necessary  that  1 
should  be  employed  to  sustain  the  relations  which  de- 
volved upon  me.  I  was,  therefore,  deaf  to  the  entreaties 
of  ray  friends,' and  mudly  engaged  to  perform  another 
voyage  to  the  Brazils,  in  the  command  of  a  new  and 


f 


366 


LIFE   ON  THE   OCEAN. 


i!!S 


beautiful  clipper  brig  of  two  hundred  and  fifty  tons  bur- 
then. Alas,  how  short  Lighted  is  man.  From  the  stub- 
bornness of  this  proceeding,  years  of  sufiering  and  sor- 
row have  marked  my  path  in  life. 

Sept.  13. — The  brig  was  loaded  and  ready  for  sea, 
bound  on  a  running  voyage  to  Rio  de  Janeiro.  We 
sailed,  and  after  a  short  run  reached  the  Capes,  dis- 
charged the  pilot  and  uit  lo  sea  with  a  strong  gale 
from  the  south-west  with  cloudy  weather.  For  five 
days  the  wind  blew  strong  and  fiir,  and  no  opportunity 
had  offered  to  get  a  meridian  observation.  On  the  sixth 
day,  however,  the  weather  became  clear,  the  sun  shone 
brilliantly,  and  its  rays  sent  forth  an  unusual  degree  of 
heat.  Although  I  had  perceived  that  my  vision  had 
became  more  and  more  obscure,  nevertheless,  as  this 
was  the  firpt  opportunity  since  leaving  the  Capes  to  get 
the  sun's  altitude,  and  being  very  anxious  to  determine 
the  latitude,  the  quadrant  was  adjusted  and  the  dark 
screen-glass  put  down  so  as  to  prevent  the  glare  of  the 
sun  from  striking  upop  the  eye.  When  the  sun  was 
brought  down  midway  from  its  height  to  the  horizon, 
the  sight  of  tne  right  eye  was  instantaneously  discovered 
to  be  gone.  My  feelings  can  be  better  imagined  than 
described.  We  were  now  about  one  thousand  miles 
fi:om  the  Capes,  and  the  success  of  the  voyage  depended 
entirely  on  its  despatch.  To  return  would  ruin  the 
voyage,  and  tc  proceed  on  for  so  long  a  time  without 
medical  treatment,  might  cause  the  entire  loss  of  sight. 
In  this  sad  dilemma,  however,  I  resolved  to  prosecute 
the  voyage,  especially  as  there  was  an  ample  medicine 
chest  on  board.  I  in;ruedlately  commenced  an  active 
self-treatment.  Sad  and  sorrowful  were  the  hours 
during  the  renoainder  of  this  r  ssage.  411  efforts  that 
were  made  to  restore  the  right  e  >  proved  fruitless ;  and 
the  keenest  anguish  was  ex'^nenced  when  the  horrible 
truth  flashed  over  my  mi  ,  thi  t  the  remainder  of  x^y 
days  would  be  spent  iu  darwnebs,  from  the  fact  which 
could  not  now  be  coace?'ed,  that  the  sight  of  the  left 
eye  was  diminishing  every  day,  insomuch  that  when 


and  fifty  tons  bur- 
.  From  the  stub- 
sufffering  and  sor- 


sea. 


We 
dis- 
gale 
five 


ad  ready  for 

de  Janeiro. 
i  the  Ca{)es, 
vith  a  strong 
reather.  For 
nd  no  opportunity 
ion.  On  the  sixth 
jar,  the  sun  shone 
unusual  degree  of 
at  my  vision  had 
ivertheless,  as  this 
g  the  Capes  to  get 
xious  to  determine 
sted  and  the  dark 
nt  the  glare  of  the 
^hen  the  sun  was 
jht  to  the  horizon, 
iieously  discovered 
tter  imagined  than 
le  thousand  miles 
e  voyage  depended 
n  would  ruin  the 
ng  a  time  without 
sntire  loss  of  sight, 
olved  to  prosecute 
an  ample  medicine 
imenced  an  active 
I  were  the  hours 
;e.  411  efforts  that 
Qved  fruitless ;  and 

when  the  horrible 
e  remainder  of  ujy 
rem  the  fact  whieh 
the  sight  of  the  left 
iomuch  (hat  when 


LIFE   ON  THE   OCEAN. 


367 


we  run  into  the  harbour  of  Rio  de  Janeiro,  I  could 
scarcely  discern  the  high  land  forming  a  sugar  loaf, 
which  may  be  seen  at  the  distance  of  twenty  miles 
vith  eyes  of  ordinary  capacity. 

I  was  of  course  now  necessarily  obliged  to  give  the 
command  of  the  brig  to  the  first  officer,  and  taking 
rooms  on  shore  with  the  advice  of  my  consignee,  pro- 
cured the  ablest  physicians  in  the  place.  Thirty  days 
I  submitted  to  a  most  active  treatment,  but  without  the 
least  perceptible  effect.  I  then  consulted  with  the  sur- 
geon of  the  United  States  frigate  Macedonian,  which 
was  then  on  that  station,  and  as  my  vessel  was  now 
ready  for  sea  on  her  htnneward  voyage,  I  procured  from 
this  gentleman  the  proper  medicines  and  written  in- 
structions how  to  proceed  with  a  course  of  self-treatment 
on  the  passage  home.  But  unfortunately  when  about 
ten  days  out,  I  was  violently  attacked  with  nervous 
fever,  which  lasted  nearly  all  the  passage. 

We  arrived  after  a  very  extraordinary  passage  of 
thirty-three  days,  in  the  latter  part  of  December,  and  on 
account  of  the  ice  and  severity  of  the  weather,  I  was 
obliged  to  disembark  at  Annapolis  and  proceed  to  Balti- 
more in  the  stage.  The  consequence  was  a  severe  cold 
and  a  relapse  of  thf  nervous  fever;  and  although  1  was 
now  once  more  ^lu  )unded  by  my  family,  the  nearest 
and  dearest  objects  of  my  affection,  yet  I  presented  to 
their  sorrowful  gaze  the  afflicting  and  melancholy  spec- 
tacle of  a  blind  man.  Scarcely  had  thirty  winters  now 
elapsed,  ere  the  desolating  hand  of  disease  fastened 
on  this  hapless  frame.  The  countenance  fixim  which 
beamed  the  glow  of  animation,  and  on  which,  you 
might  have  read  the  index  of  health,  now  became  pale 
and  ghastly;  and  the  eye,  from  which  flashed  the 
vivid  fire  of  acuteness  and  perception,  now  was  dim; 
and  lastly,  to  fill  up  the  catalogue  of  woes,  the  eye 
became  void  of  perception  and  sightless.  And  the  form 
too,  once  robust  and  vigorous,  now  p  asented  an  en- 
feebled and  emaciated  frame. 

Oh !  could  you  have  seen  the  deep  affliction  of  the 


■'vt*xli 


Mwmill 


368 


LIFE   ON  THE   OCEAN. 


«*','• 


VK  '■' 


heart,  and  have  read  the  painful  exercises  of  a  mind 
immersed  in  sorrow,  contemplating  the  cheerless  pros- 
pect of  the  future,  compelled  to  pursue  a  path  of  dark- 
ness and  dreariness,  and  excluded  from  all  the  beauties 
which  nature's  variety  present— could  you  have  beheld 
that  trembling  form ;  not  crushed  by  the  pressure  of 
age,  but  reduced  by  corroding  care  and  wasting  disease- 
nature's  sensibilities  would  have  aroused  alHts  sym- 
pathies, and  the  falling  tear  might  have  dropped  nnre- 
proved.     Now  follows  the  sad  condition  of  deep  depen- 
dence, and  the  appalling  connecting  circumstances  to 
be  dreaded  by  every  sensitive  mind,  such  as  unmean- 
ing sympatliv,  mortificaiions  of  wounded  sensibilities, 
inability  to  discharge  social  and  relative  responsibilities, 
pinchiiigs  of  poverty  and  many  other  shocU-s  of  chilling 
import,  peculiar  to  tliat  condition.     Thit  combination 
of  woes  gave  a  settled  appearance  of  dejection  and  sad- 
ness, while  on   every  lineament  of  the   countenance, 
were  visibly  depicted,  the  deep  furrows  of  adverMty. 
Nature,  after  repeated  struggles,  during  a  lapse  of  trft teen 
years,  gradually  \iolde(l ;  and  sorrow  being  n-fiiiv^d  and 
sublimated,  by  t!i.;  powerful  aid  of  religion,  patiently 
submitted  to  its  lot,  and  now  when  a  smile  lighfs  up 
the  care-worn  brow,  you  may  there  read  the  workings 
of  a  grateful  heart ;  and  tiie  persuasion  of  a  contempla- 
tive mind,  tiiat  fin  ily  believes  that  all  is  tor  the  best, 
and  that  there  is  nothing  true  but  heaven. 


mm 


cercises  of  a  mind 
the  cheerless  pros- 
sue  a  path  of  dark- 
•om  all  the  beauties 
d  you  have  beheld 
by  the  pressure  of 
i  wasting  disease — 
roused  alHts  sym- 
have  dropped  unre- 
tion  of  deep  depen- 
g  circumstances  to 
I,  such  as  unmean- 
iinded  sensibilities, 
tive  responsibilities, 
r  shod;  s  of  chilling 

Thifr  combination 
'  dejection  and  sad- 
f  the  countenance, 
rrows  of  adve/f-.ty. 
tig  a  lapse  of  irftttjen 
w  being  n'fiiii^d  and 
f  religion,  patiently 
I  a  smile  liglifs  up 

read  the  workings 
sion  of  a  contempla- 
t  all  is  for  the  best, 
,  heaven. 


CHAPTER   XXXIII. 


REFLECTIONS   ON  TH£    CBARACTER   AND   CONDITION    OF    SEAMEN. 

Not  many  years  have  elapsed  since  sailors  were  coH'- 
sidered  a  class  of  isolated  beings,  scarcely  worthy  to  be 
ranked  among  the  lowest  and  most  degraded  of  human 
kind ;  when  it  might  truly  have  been  said,  that  "no 
man  cared"  either  for  their  souls  or  their  bodies  ;  and 
even  up  to  this  hour,  there  are  very  many  in  our  com- 
munity, that  look  upon  poor  Jack  as  a  kind  of  wild 
animal;  dangerous  to  society,  and  who  ought  not  to  be 
suffered  to  roam  at  large. 

Although  the  moral  sense  of  the  christian  public  ha.s 
been  aroused  to  engage  in  the  benevoteui,  enterprise  of 
meliorating  the  temporal  and  spiritual  condition  of  sea- 
men, yet  when  this  philanthropic  object  is  presented  for 
the  consideration  of  our  countrymen,  a  vast  majority 
treat  it  as  a  scheme  perfectly  chimerical,  and  they  will 
neither  lend  their  influence  nor  means  to  accelerate  this 
praiseworthy  object.  Such  do  not  consider  the  relative 
importance  of  seamen,  either  for  the  advancement  of 
commercial  pursuits,  or  for  the  protection  of  our  country's 
rights,  or  for  the  maintenance  of  our  national  honour. 
They  do  not  consider  that  seamen  are  the  great  links  of 
the  chain  which  unite  nation  to  nation,  ocean  to  ocean, 
continent  to  continent,  and  island  to  island  ;  and  it  is  a 
matter  of  astonishment,  when  such  people  are  reminded 
that  seamen  are  the  instrumentalities  who  fill  our  na- 
tion's treasury,  enrich  the  coffers  of  the  merchant,  build 
the  stately  warehouses  which  overflow  with  the  fabrics 
of  every  clime,  and  erect  the  niagnificent  and  splendid 
mansions  which  beautify  and  adorn  our  seaports,  and 
32 


-i 


370 


LIFE   ON  THE   OCEAN. 


construct  the  most  beautiful  specimens  of  naval  archi- 
tecture that  float  over  the  ocean.  It  is  seamen  that  give 
employment  to  the  shipwright,  the  ship-joiner,  sail- 
maker,  blacksmith,  blockmaker,  &.c.  In  u  word  it  is 
seamen  who  must  fulfil  Scripture  prophecy  by  carrying 
the  glad  tidings  of  salvation,  and  plant  the  standard  of 
the  cross  in  the  dark  regions  of  idolatry  and  superstition. 
Yes,  it  is  by  their  indefatigable  exertions,  that  the  light 
of  the  glorious  Gospel  is  to  shine  upon  the  benighted 
hearts  of  tho  lic;Ulieu,  until  this  moral  darkness  shall 
have  been  every  wliere  dissipated  by  the  rising  beams 
of  the  sun  of  righteousness. 

It  must  not  be  understood  that  it  is  meant  that 
sailors  inv.  uatiuidly  better  than  landsmen ;  yet  an  ex- 
perience of  twenty  years  witli  their  traits  has  given  me 
an  intimate  knowledye  of  their  character,  and  although 
I  am  comjvllod  to  say,  that  there  are  some  among  them 
who  disgrace  human  nature,  yet  in  general  they  are 
brave,  generous,  manly  and  unsuspecting.  The  sailor's 
insight  of  huifiau  nature  is  Ihuited,  and  drawn  altogether 
from  the  objects  constantly  before  him;  he  is  apt  to 
think  all  mankind  candid,  open,  honest,  and  void  of 
trickery,  because  he  himself  is  so.  Jack  is  unpractised 
in  the  arts  of  acquiring  or  preserving  property,  or  im- 
proving his  condition  in  life.  He  attaches  no  other 
value  to  money,  than  as  a  means  of  procuring  him  pre- 
sent enjoynuuit.  So  class  of  men  obtain  their  little 
money  witli  im)re  Iiaiiship  and  difficulty.  This,  one 
would  think,  would  le;.d  tliem  to  estimate  it  at  its  pro- 
per value.  But  such  is  not  the  case.  They  scatter  it 
with  profnseness,  as  if  they  were  ardently  desirous  of 
gelling  rid  of  an  incumbrance,  and  consequently  it  does 
not  trouble  them  long. 

The  generosity  of  a  sailor  is  proverbial.  Although 
he  acquires  his  dollars  amid  toils  and  dangers,  from 
which  a  iuudsnian  would  shrink  with  aftright,  he  can 
feel  deeply  tor  the  wants  of  others,  and  has  a  hand  ever 
ready  to  assist  the  distressed.  He  will  share  the  last 
copper  with  the  wretch  who  is  in  need  of  pecuniary 


-"HiWVl«t7<W 


3ns  of  naval  archi- 
ls seamen  that  give 
ship-joiner,  sail- 
In  ii  word  it  is 
iphocy  by  carrying 
ant  the  standard  of 
ly  and  superstition, 
tions,  that  the  light 
npon  the  benighted 
lorul  darkness  shall 
)y  the  rising  beams 

t  it  is  meant  that 
iilsmen  ;  yet  an  ex- 
traits  has  given  me 
•actcr,  and  although 
3  some  among  them 
n  general  they  are 
cting.  The  sailor's 
nd  drawn  altogether 
him;  he  is  apt  to 
lonest,  and  void  of 
Jack  is  unpractised 
ring  property,  or  im- 
3  attaches  no  other 
f  procuring  him  pre- 
1  obtain  their  little 
ifficulty.  This,  one 
estimate  it  at  its  pro- 
ise.  They  scatter  it 
ardently  desirous  of 
consequendy  it  does 

roverbial.  Although 
i  and  dangers,  from 
with  affright,  he  can 
and  has  a  hand  ever 
e  will  share  the  last 
a  need  of  pecuniary 


LIFE   ON  THE   OCEAN. 


assistance,  and  will  combat  manfully  in  behalf  of  the 
victim  of  oppression.  It  is  certainly  true,  that  the  gene- 
ral conduct  of  sailors  when  on  shore,  compel  us  often- 
times to  turnUway  from  thcni  in  disgust ;  and  one  would 
naturally  suppose,  that  after  a  long  ahseuce,  the  weather- 
worn voyager  would  tako  care  of  the  small  pittance 
which  he  had  so  learly  earned,  or  at  least  expnid  it  in 
providing  hiniself  with  souio  appendages  to  assist  him 
in  gaining  useful  information,  or  in  the  enjoyment  of 
some  rational  amusement,  which  might  at  the  same 
tune  relax  his  mind,  and  liiruish  him  with  instruction 
that  would  prove  useful  u>  hiu)  in  alter  life.  But  such, 
however,  is  not  the  case ;  for  they  oltcn  seek  to  indulge 
tiieir  sensual  appetites,  at  the  expense  of  all  that  is  moral 
and  intelleciual.  The  thoughtlessness  of  those  sons  of 
tlio  ocean,  is  not  however  to  be  wondered  at,  when 
we  look  at  their  privations  and  the  p(!culiar  habits  of  a 
sea-life,  which  in  port  tliey  are  compoUcd  to  lead.  For 
example,  see  that  gallant  ship  just  about  to  cast  otf  her 
moorings,  bound  lor  the  East  Indies  ;  go  on  board,  and 
you  may  perhaps  see  about  a  dozen  of  seamen  ;  tiien 
range  your  eye  fore-and-aft  the  decks,  which  may  be 
one  hundred  and  thirty  feet  long  and  thij'ty  feet  broad  ; 
this  then  is  the  whole  length  and  breadth  of  Jack's 
world — his  only  associations  for  one  year  at  least.-  Did 
I  say  one  hundred  and  tliirty  feet — No,  you  must  take 
off  thirty  or  forty  feet  for  the  quarter-deck,  for  in  all 
well  regulated  vessels,  a  hand  before  the  mast  is  not 
allowed  to  set  fooi  on  the  quarter  dock,  except  to  take 
his  turn  at  the  helm,  repair  the  sails,  or  to  perform  some 
act  of  duty  about  the  mizi,enmast,  &,c.  Thus  then, 
about  ninety  feet  is  the  extent  of  his  out-door  rambles. 
Now  let  us  take  a  look  iiito  the  forecastle,  a  spacioits 
apartment  of  about  twelve  feet  in  length,  and  about  the 
same  in  width,  when  deducting  the  breadth  of  two 
berths,  the  whole  tapering  off  to  nothing  forward.  Here 
then  is  his  dining  and  dressing  room,  bed-chamber  and 
parlour.  And  now  let  us  examine  the  furniture.  The 
chests,  which  are  closely  stowed,  present  a  sur&ce 


-  if^wmai-iii  !>. >.^^ 


II 


372 


LIFE     >N   THE   OCEAN. 


nearly  as  lovel  as  the  deck,  and  perform  the  ofllro  of  a 
table;  then  there  are  kids,  tin-pots,  iron  spoons,  and 
perhaps  two  horn  tumblers,  which  answer  thf-  do'.ble 
pur|K)m'  of  first  niensuririg  out  to  each  his  nllcvatiotj  of 
grog,  and  then  tnking  the  jtiace  of  the  vinegar  cruet. 
Now  cast  your  oye  towards  the  bowsprit-bits,  and  yon 
will  see,  not  a  mnunificent  rliandoliur,  bni-  ai)  old  tin 
lamp  with  a  innir  s|K)ut,  fdlwl  with  slush,  serving  the 
purpose  of  oil,  and  an  old  rag,  slack  twisted.  Ibr  wick. 
This  splendid  piive  of  dcconttion  serves  to  illuminate 
the  obscnre  fol(•(•a^Il^«.  Ijfst  us  now  examine  the  bunks 
where  Jack  slee)N.     The  i)od,  gentle  reader,  is  imt  coni- 

Edsed  of  down  ;  but  lo,  a  mattress  made  of  cat-tails,  the 
ulk  of  wbi(di  rolled  up  tniglit  i)e  stowed  in  a  large 
bandbox,  first  strikes  the  eye  ;  and  then  instead  of  the 
snow  wliite  slieets,  there  is  a  blanket  wbicli  has  been 
Jack's  compaidon  for  many  a  long  voyage,  and  for 
which  he  has  so  great  an  alleciion,  that  in  order  to 
preserve  the  precious  relic  it  b;i  >  been  heavily  quilted 
throughout  with  yarn;  and  it  now  answers  the  two-fold 
purjuise,  with  the  help  of  his  ](ea-ja(ket,  of  blanket  and 
quilt  ,  and  his  canvas  bag  well  .stowed  with  dunnage 
within,  and  \\;cll  coated  with  tar  without,  is  the  pillow 
to  cor  iplete  tlie  whole  trappings  (  a  forecastle  bedding. 
Let  us  ni»w  iniiigine  tiiis  ship  and  her  crew  sailing 
o'er  t'i«  blue  ocean  on  a  Sabbath  day,  after  eight  bells 
in  fh'i  (i  ((jiionn  watch,  this  being  the  dinner  hour,  and 
iben  ^  v'.ll  introduce  the  reader  to  a  sumptuous  repast 
ill  lUo  foreca.stle.  Conceive  then  about  a  dozen  sailors 
seated  on  the  chests,  furniing  a  kind  of  ring,  in  the 
centre  cf  which  is  first,  a  kid  containing  a  huge  piece  of 
salt  beef,  boiled  in  salt  water,  the  outside  of  the  meat  is 

frinning  most  horribly  in  crystallized  salt.  Another 
id  contains  a  pudding  or  duli',  weighing  from  ten  to 
fifteen. pounds  more  or  less,  compressed  to  the  size  of 
your  double-fist ;  there  is  still  another  containing  biscuit, 
which  with  a  tin  pot  of  molasses  -and  the  vinegar  cruet, 
alias  the  horn  tumbler,  finishes  this  endless  variety. 
And  now  for  ths  conversation  around  the  festive  board. 


1 


LIFE   ON  THE   OCEAN. 


373 


brm  the  offiro  of  a 
iron   spoons,  and 
nswer  thf;  Uo'ible 
h  his  nllf>'v:aii.ti  of 
ihe  vinegar  cruet, 
sprit-bits,  and  ynii 
er,  but-  ai)  old  tin 
shisi\,  serving  the 
twisted,  for  wick, 
rves  to  illiuninate 
ixaniine  the  bunks 
reader,  is  not  coni- 
ido  of  eat-tails,  the 
itowed   in    a  huge 
tlien  instead  of  the 
et  wiiicli  has  been 
g  voyage,  and  for 
,  that  in  order  to 
!en  lieavily  quilted 
iswers  the  twr)-fold 
icet,  of  blanket  and 
ivcd  with  dunnage 
thout,  is  the  pillow 
forecastle  bedding, 
id  her  crew  sailing 
ay,  after  eight  bells 
e  dinner  hour,  and 
a  sumptuous  repast 
)out  a  dozen  sailors 
nd  of  ring,  in   the 
ing  a  huge  piece  of 
side  of  the  meat  is 
5ed  salt.     Another 
ghing  from  ten  to 
ssed  to  the  size  of 
•  containing  biscuit, 
i  the  vinegar  cruet, 
is  endless  variety, 
i  the  festive  board. 


"Avast  there,  Tom,"  says  an  old  salt,  while  the  for- 
mer is  cutting  off  the  best  and  fattosf  part  of  the  beef, 
"cut  fair  and  no  gouging — just  parbuckle  that  jnetty 
little  morsel  of  bull-meat  over  this  way." 

"Halloo,"  says  another,  "what  have  we  got  here," 
eyeing  the  beef  sarcasticjdly,  "why  this  is  a  fine  stock 
of  provisions  for  r\  soldier's  knapsack;  he  could  march 
a  whole  campaign  without  danger  of  greasing  it,  or  his 
pip'-clays."  So  saying,  he  cuts  off  a  junk  to  his  liking, 
which  IS  readily  subdivided  into  m  Tsels  abciu  the 
dimensions  of  a  common  sized  ogg  ;  and  then,  to  neu- 
tralize the  salt,  it  is  thrust  into  the  vinegar  cruet,  with  « 
dust  of  pepper,  and  the  savory  titbit  is  swallowed  witl 
peculiar  ntlish. 

The  first  course  being  over,  the  dessert  is  brought  for 
ward,  at  which  they  all  brighten  up  with  an  inward 
chuckle,  apparendy  delighted  with  this  weekly  extra 
allowance ;  then  an  old  roaster,  and  a  hard  visaged  chap, 
who  sits  opposite,  bawls  out,  "handle  yourself  this  way 
with  your  long  shears,  and  cut  me  up  the  dufi"."  The 
pudding  is  then  first  slabbed  off  into  blocks,  then 
divided  into  slices,  to  be  again  subdivided  into  pieces, 
when  the  contents  of  the  tin-pot  of  molasses  is  poured 
into  the  kid,  and  a  hasty  stir-about  completes  the  pre- 
paration. Now  then  with  their  iron  simoons  they  fall 
to  with  a  will,  while  piece  after  piece  rapidly  van- 
ishes, till  the  whole  mass  disappears;  when,  it  a  full 
stowage  of  hardware  faii  to  bring  a  conviction  to  the 
participants,  of  the  moral  of  the  truth — "enough  is  as 
good  as  a  feast" — alas,  the  empty  kid  too  plainly  admon- 
ishes them  of  the  truth  of  the  moral — "there  is  an  end  to 
all  things."  This  done,  some  one  sings  out,  "clear 
away  the  wreck!"  a  very  unnecessary  call,  for  there  is 
nothing-  left  but  the  empty  dishes  to  clear  away  ;  the 
beef,  pudding,  molasses,  pepper,  vinegar,  and  grog,  hav- 
ing all  been  stowed  away  to  satisfy  the  enormous  ajipe- 
tites  of  the  sailors. 

The  above  is  a  pretty'fair  sample  of  their  meals,  with 
the  exception  that  they  are  generally  allowed  beans, 
32* 


i 


f 


m 


3T4 


UfE   ON   THE   OCEAN. 


■'^;t 


))ens,  rico,  and  somctimeit  potntoos,  as  a  change.  Salt 
jwrk  is  also  given  instead  of  beof.  Witli  this  itirid  of 
livniL''  it  not  luifroquentiy  happens,  that  thoy  arc  oblij^cd 
to  worlt  nil  day,  and  then  are  called  up  perhaps  l\\>  or 
tliret!  times  in  their  watch  below  at  night.  Tbey  are 
not  only  (iequently  ex|H)sed  to  storms  and  toniposts, 
wet  and  dry,  sudden  transitions  of  heat  and  cold,  but  it 
soniotinies  happens,  thai  froiii  stress  of  weather,  calms 
or  otherwise,  they  suller  incredibly  fi)r  want  of  provi- 
sions and  wator.  Add  to  all  this,  it  is  ofteti  the  case 
thai  a  sailor  does  not  receive  a  kind  or  pleasant  word 
froni  his  oliicers  during  a  voyage;  and  although  there 
are  many  honorable  excej)tions  in  commanders  of  ves- 
Hols,  yet  1  am  comjudled  to  acknowledge  that  there  are 
many,  who  look  npmi  a  common  hand  as  nearly  allied 
to  !i  l)rnto,  and  conseciucnily  treat  him  as  snch.  At 
best,  a  saii<)r's  life  is  full  of  hardsliip  and  peril,  and  if  to 
these  are  added  hard  living,  hard  usage  and  hard  words, 
it  may  be  imagined  that  his  lilis  at  sea  is  not  very 
desirable. 

No  wonder  then  when  a  ship  arrives  in  port  and  a 
land-sliark  comes  on  board  under  false  colours,  with 
smooth   words   and  sunshine   in  his  countenance,  es- 
pecially if  he  has  a  bottle  of  rum  to  treat  poor  Jack  with,  I 
no  wonder,  I  say,  that  ho  becomes  an  easy  dupe  to 
this desip-ning  knave.     Presently  you  will  see  the  land) 
pirate  bavc  perlio. s  a  ■>:  ,  ^le  crew  in  tow,  and  they  are 
quickly  stowed  f.\»'ay  ui  a  fire-ship — or  to  speak  morel 
plainly,  a  gro»  s'loji — which  comprises  a  part  at  least  ofl 
a  sailor's  b<      ling  house.     Here  then  he  is  constantly[ 
plied  with  hqnor,  and  kept  half  stupid  ;  in  which  situa- 
tion he  is  sometimes  ])eriiutted   to  sally  forth  into  the! 
streets,  where  he  is  generally  scolfed  at  and  despised;! 
by  reason  of  which  he  plunges  deeper  into  the  vortexl 
of  misery  and  wretchedness. 

Now  it  must  be  acknowledged  that  there  are  manyl 
men,  who  are  an  honour  to  their  species,  endeavouringl 
to  exert  their  influence  and  means  to  extricate  sailors! 
from  this  sad  condition ;  yet  there  are  many  others,! 


,  as  a  change.     Salt 
With  this  kind  of 
that  tlicy  arc  obi is^cd 
I  up  ncrhans  iw..  or 
It  night,     'rhcy  aro 
onns  and  toniiKJsts, 
lieat  and  cold,  but  it 
js  of  wcutiicr,  cahns 
y  for  want  of  provi- 
,  it  is  oflen  the  case 
id  or  pleasant  word 
,  and  allhougli  thoro 
connnanders  of  vos- 
vvledgo  that  there  are 
hand  as  nearly  allied 
\l  him  as  such.     At 
p  and  peril,  and  if  to 
sago  and  hard  words, 
ii  at  sea  is  not  very 

arrives  in  port  and  a 
r  false  colours,  with 
his  countenance,  es- 
I  treat  poor  Jack  with,  I 
les  an  easy  dupe  to 
you  will  see  the  land 
in  tow,  and  they  are 
jp — or  to  speak  morel 
)rises  a  part  at  least  of  I 
■ben  he  is  constantly r 
upid  -,  in  which  situa- 
to  sally  forth  into  the 
U'ed  at  and  despised; I 
eeper  into  the  vortexl 

that  there  are  manyl 
species,  endeavouringl 
ns  to  extricate  sailorsi 
sre  are  many  others,! 


'  ""fJ^ifll^^rasQ^j^l^^^ifE? 


-'i!'awiwu^e<a»^!imBaMfflt!.»i^i».auwtg.«ggmwi^i--i'-'^-lL»^ 


iM 


IMAGE  EVALUATION 
TEST  TARGET  (MT-3) 


1.0 


I.I 


11.25 


1^128  ijns 

■^  I2i&    12.2 

u  IMBB 

Mtuu 

IIII^^B 

|U    il.6 


—    6" 


Photographic 

Sciences 

Corporation 


23  WEST  MAIN  STREET 

WEBSTER,  N.Y.  14S80 

(716)872-4503 


V 
"# 


^ 


R' 


i»»'?7?'^r»ni»i»iii,i 


'^m 


«' 


CIHM/ICMH 

Microfiche 

Series. 


CIHM/ICMH 
Collection  de 
microfiches. 


Canadian  institute  for  Historicai  IMicroreproductions  /  institut  canedien  de  microreproductions  historiques 


m'^:^^m 


1^:^..^   '.tWAv 


mmtm 


m 


LIFE   ON  THE  OCE^^. 

when  it  is  proposed  to  rescue  seafaring  men  from  the 
grasp  of  designing  men,  and  advance  their  moral  and 
religious  condition,  so  that  they  may  sustain  a  rank  in 
society,  to  which  their  value  and  importance  justly 
entitles  them — I  say,  when  this  is  proposed,  the  answer 
is,  why  do  sailors  permit  themselves  to  be  so  duped 
and  carried  away  ?    The  reasons  have  been  given.    But 
it  may  be  asked,  who  goes  on  board  of  a  vessel  when 
she  first  arrives  and  takes  the  poor  sailor  by  the  hand  ? 
and  when  on  shore  who  is  it  that  will  introduce  him 
into  society,  and  give  him  a  place  at  the  social  board, 
or  around  the  domestic  fireside  ?  who  is  it,  I  ask,  that 
will  whisper  kind  words  into  his  ear,  and  with  whole- 
some admonition  and  advite  tell  him  about  the  value  of 
his  soul,  or  go  in  company  with  him  to  the  house  of 
God  ?     When  it  is  proposed  to  make  special  efforts  to 
erect  temperance  houses  and  mariners'  churches  for 
the  benefit  of  seamen,  the  objections  generally  are,  that 
there  are  already  houses  of  sufficient  respectability  for 
their  reception,  and  as  to  places  of  worship,  why  they 
abound  in  all  our  cities,  consequently  sailors  have  the 
same  opportunity  to  make  use  of  the  means  of  reforma- 
tion as  landsmen,  have.    Now  this  is  very- bad  reason- 
ing.   Suppose  for  example,  that  a  sailor  could  get  from 
under  the  clutches  of  his  landlord,  long  enough  to  keep 
sober  twenty-four  hours ;  let  him  then  have  a  "go 
a-shore  wash,"  as  he  would  call  it,^and  dress  him  in  a 
complete  sailor's  rig — say  blue  jacket,  white  trowsers, 
black  silk  handkerchief,  tied  with  a  sailor's  knot,  the 
other  parts  of  his  dress  to  correspond,  except  that  his 
head  is  decorated  with  the  indispensable  tarpaulin ;  thus 
rigged  out  let  him  enter  one  of  our  large  and  fiishionable 
churches ;  and  how  many  pew  doors  do  you  suppose 
would  be  thrown  open  for  his  reception.    It  is  highly 
probable  that  many  of  the  ladies,  fancying  the  air  per- 
fumed with  tar  or  oakum,  would  feint  at  the  sight  of 
this  outlandish  creature ;  and  no  doubt  the  sexton  in  this 
most  deplorable  dilemma,  would,  if  the  audacious  intru- 
sion has  not  too  far  ruffled  his  temper,  in  a  delicate  and 
agreeable  manner  show  him  the  way  to  the  door. 


■■p^i!«ii""»»p»n<i«"«m 


376 


LIFE   ON  THE   OCEAN. 


?■■ 


The  facts  are  simply  these ;  sailors  are  so  accustomed 
10  the  severity  of  discipline  on  shipboard,  that  they 
would  as  soon  take  up  their  residence  in  the  cabin  in 
the  land  of  plates,  knives,  forks,  &c.  as  they  term  a 
gentry's  parlour,  as  to  frequent  a  place  of  religious  wor- 
ship, where  all  are  so  different  m  dress  to  him,  for  he 
conceives  immediately  that  he  is  out  of  his  element. 
If  then  religious  truth  i%  ever  brought  to  bear  upon  his 
character,  the  impression  must  first  be  made,  that  he 
has  a  timber  head  in  the  church,  to  use  his  own  phrase, 
wit''  a  sailor's  chaplain  ■,  and  it  is  farther  necessary  that 
he  sliould  be  surrounded  with  those  who  like  himself 
are  rigged  out  in  the  costume  of  the  sailor.  In  this 
way,  and  in  no  other,  will  you  gain  his  confidence. 
And  if  once  the  blessed  trutlis  of  Christianity  make  a 
lodgment  in  his  heart,  Ihore  is  no  class  of  men  that  are 
more  devoted,  or  that  live  more  consistent  lives  than  do 

seamen.  ^        ,      ,  x- 

It  is  not  a  difficult  matter  to  affect  the  heart  ot  a 
sailor;  only  keep  him  sober  and  bring  him  within  the 
range  of  religious  influence,  and  persuade  him  at  the 
same  time  by  the  interest  you  feel  in  his  behalf,  that 

rou  are  his  friend,  his  reformation  is  almost  a  certainty, 
boldly  assert  that  which  experience  has  confirmed 
during  a  series  of  voyages,  as  has  been  noticed  in  the 
preceding  narrative,  that  my  uniform  practice  was  to 
have  religious  worship  on  board  ;  and  I  can  safely 
affirm,  that,  by  a  judicious  course  of  treatment,  and  the 
influenceof  these  observances,  not  only  made  a  deep 
and  lasting  imp'-ession  on  the  minds  of  many  sailors, 
but  it  also  enabled  me  to  gain  their  confidence  and  sup- 
port in  many  a  trying  hour.  Indeed,  during  a  course 
of  many  years  exper'  ■  with  them,  I  never  knew  a 
gailor  who  was  an  infi  and  1  do  not  think  any  man  of 
reflection  following  a  ..a-iife,  can  be  one,  surrounded 
as  they  are  at  all  times  with  the  immense  displays  of 
the  power  and  wisdom  of  God.  Looking  upward  they 
behold  the  blue  heavens ;  looking  around  they  see  the 
vast  unfathomable  abyss  without  limit,  except  that  their 


mmm 


ftftm 


s  are  so  accustomed 
lipboard,  that  they 
ice  in  the  cabin  in 
tc.  as  they  term  a 
ce  of  religious  wor- 
dress  to  him,  for  he 
out  of  his  element, 
ht  to  bear  upon  his 
;t  be  made,  that  he 
use  his  own  phrase, 
irther  necessary  that 
e  who  like  himself 
the  sailor.  In  this 
;ain  his  confidence. 
Christianity  nmke  a 
ilass  of  men  that  are 
sistent  lives  than  do 

ffect  the  heart  of  a 
ring  him  within  the 
lersuade  him  at  the 
el  in  his  behalf,  that 
is  almost  a  certainty, 
ence  has  confirmed 

been  noticed  in  the 
brm  practice  was  to 
;  and  I  can  safely 
)f  treatment,  and  the 

only  made  a  deep 
nds  of  many  sailors, 

confidence  and  sup- 
ed,  during  a  course 
lem,  I  never  knew  a 
I  not  think  any  man  of 

be  one,  surrounded 
immense  displays  of 
ooking  upward  they 

around  they  see  the 
imit,  except  that  their 


LIFE   ON  THE  OCEAN. 


377 


coptiacted  vision  make  sky  and  ocean  meet;  in  the 
hurricane  and  storm  he  views  his  wondrous  power,  and 
when  he  also  beholds  the  enormous  growth  and  the 
vast  variety  of  the  finny  tribe,  and  when  too,  above  all, 
he  recollects  his  own  exposures  on  the  inconstant  ele- 
ment, and  how  he  has  been  preserved  amid  its  various 
perils  and  dangers ;  when,  I  say,  he  reflects  upon  all 
these  things  (and  I  believe  every  sailor  does  so  more  or 
less)  he  is  constrained  to  acknowledge  that  there  is  an 
over-nilirjg  Providence,'  a  Being  who  supports  and  up- 
holds all  things  by  his  wisdom  and  power.  If  then  a 
projier  estimate  is  made  of  the  value  and  importance  of 
seamen  to  our  communities  ;  if  our  obligations  to  them 
are  rightly  considered,  and  if  our  responsibilty  to  God 
in  their  behalf  is  manifest,  we  are  bound  to  put  forth  the 
most  strenuous  efforts  to  alleviate  their  temporal  and 
spiritual  condition.  If  we  do  not  do  all  this,  and  more, 
there  will  be  a  fearful  account  to  give  in  the  day  of  final 
retribution. 

Experiments  are  now  being  carried  on,  and  have 
proved  successful  beyond  the  expectations  of  the  most 
sanguine.  Seamen's  homes  and  mariners'  churches  have 
been  opened  in  almost  every  seaport  in  the  United  States, 
as  well  as  in  foreign  ports ;  and  although  much  has 
been  done,  yet  much  more  remains  to  be  done,  which 
requires  the  united  co-r  oeration  of  all.  In  this  great 
work  a  vast  amount  of  lesponsibility  rests  upon  the 
commanders  of  vessels,  because  it  is  well  known  that 
they  can  exert  an  influence  over  the  minds  of  sailors, 
which  is  quite  beyond  the  power  of  any  other  class 
to  effect.  It  seems  then  that  it  is  absolutely  necessary 
that  a  commander  should  be  under  the  power  and  in- 
fluence of  gospel  truths,  that  he  may  regulate  his  own 
life  accordingly,  and  observe  a  judicious  and  proper 
treatment  to  sailors,  as  well  as  to  recommend  by  precept 
and  example  that  divine  principle  which  he  professes  to 
enjoy.  If  this  were  generally  the  case,  how  much  more 
would  the  privations  and  hardships  of  a  sea-life  be 
lessened.    Let  men  be  brought  to  feel  their  responsi* 


■>¥] 


:^!SfK^- 


y.. 


878  LIFE   ON  THE   OCEAN. 

bility  to  God  and  to  each  other,  and  there  certainly  would 
not  be  a  want  of  obedience  on  shipboard  from  inferiors  to 
superiors  ;  and  on  the  other  hand  officers  would  be  just, 
and  consider  that  the  soul  of  the  sailor  is  as  precious  in 
the  sight  of  God,  and  cost  as  much  to  redeem,  as  that 
of  any  other  mm.  It  is  certain  if  this  divine  principle 
wore  enjoyed  by  seamen  in  general,  then  every  vessel 
would  become  a  Bethel,  and  every  sailor's  heart  a 
temple  for  the  Holy  Spirit  to  dwell  in.  But  sailors 
themselves  being  the  most  interested,  are  called  upon  to 
be  co-workers  in  that  which  is  to  elevate  their  condition 
in  society,  by  reforming  their  habits  and  lives,  and 
endeavour  to  practise  those  moral  and  religious  truths, 
which  are  not  only  calculated  to  smooth  the  sorrows  of 
life  and  make  men  happy,  but  after  all  give  a  proper 
estimate  to  character. 

Sailors  during  the  progress  of  their  calling,  are  oc- 
casionally in  the  habit  of  visiting  every  portion  of  the 
habitable  globe.  Tiieir  businesj  frequently  leads  them 
among  the  less  intbrnied,  the  uncivilized  portions  of 
mankind.  And  it  is  here  ihat  the  examples  taught  by 
the  white  men,  who  mingle  with  the  natives,  may 
have  a  mighty  influence  on  their  conduct.  The  white 
man  is  soon  known  to  possess  a  mind  of  a  higher  order 
than  the  savage,  and  is  by  him  looked  up  to  as  a 
superior  being.  If  the  moral  feelings  of  the  white  man 
correspond  with  his  intellectual  power,  the  influence 
which  he  may  thus  exercise  will  be  unbounded.  But 
if  the  savage  finds  that  the  white  man  seeks  to  deceive 
him,  is  dishonest,  cunning,  licentious  and  intemperate, 
he  can  no  longer  respect  him,  although  it  is  possible 
he  may  fear  his  power. 

The  ignorant  untutored  savage  can  discriminate  be- 
tween good  and  evil,  and.  although  he,  perhaps,  has 
never  cultivated  the  moral  sentiments,  he  will  despise 
from  the  bottom  of  his  heart,  the  palo-feced  stranger, 
who  allows  the  animal  passions  to  predominate  over 
the  nobler  faculties  of  the  mind.  If  you  take  awav 
virtue  you  will  deprive  intellect  of  half  its  force.  It 
is  therefore  evident,  that  sailors  who  visit  those  countries 


,N. 

lere  certainly  would 
ard  from  inferiors  to 
icers  would  be  just, 
or  is  as  precious  in 
to  redeem,  as  that 
his  divine  principle 
,  then  eveiy  vessel 
ry  sailor's  heart  a 
ill  in.  But  sailors 
1,  are  called  upon  to 
svate  their  condition 
jits  and  lives,  and 
nd  religious  truths, 
looth  the  sorrows  of 
ter  all  give  a  proper 

leir  calling,  are  oc- 
ivery  portion  of  the 
equently  leads  them 
civilized  portions  of 
examples  taught  by 
1  the  natives,  may 
)nduct.    The  white 
ind  of  a  higher  order 
looked  up  to  as  a 
gs  of  the  white  man 
lower,  the  influence 
be  unbounded.    But 
lan  seeks  to  deceive 
lus  and  intemperate, 
hough  it  is  possible 

can  discriminate  be- 
gh  he,  perhaps,  has 
mts,  he  will  despise 
s  palo-&ced  stranger, 
to  predominate  over 
.  If  you  take  away 
of  half  its  force.  It 
o  visit  those  countries 


LIFE   ON  THE   OCEAN. 


379 


should  be  men,  correct  in  their  moral  conduct,  and 
thus  be  able  to  set  before  the  savage  a  copy  for  his 
imitation,  not  a  picture  for  his  abhorrence.  It  will  thus 
be  seen  that  the  bearing  of  the  sailor  when  abroad  is 
always  of  the  greatest  importance,  and  should  every 
where  be  characierized  by  frankness,  benevolence,  de- 
corum and  virtue.  This  conduct  is  particularly  neces- 
sary when  holding  communication  with  the  savage. 

The  sailor  might  pave  the  way  for  the  missionary  or 
the  philanthropist,  who  would  be  able  to  instruct  them 
still  farther  in  their  religious  and  moral  duties.  But  if, 
on  the  contrary,  sailors  should  exhibit  a  character  to 
them  marked  with  vice  and  sensuality,  the  savage 
would  soon  see  enough  of  tlie  white  man,  and  be  more 
disposed  to  drive  liim  from  his  territories  or  take  his 
life,  than  to  receive  from  his  lips  the.  lessons  of  advice 
or  the  precepts  of  morality.  It  is  evident  that  before  a 
person  can  be  successful  in  instructing  others,  whether 
children  or  adults,  he  must  be  respected  ;  and  he  can- 
not be  respected,  either  by  the  white  man  or  the  savage, 
unless  he  strictly  fulfils  his  moral  duties.  An  American 
sailor  when  abroad  should  recollect  that  he  is  a  repre- 
sentative of  his  countrymen,  and  that  it  is  in  his  power 
to  convey  to  those  among  whom  he  mingles,  a  favorable 
impression  of  the  general  conduct,  manners  and  morals 
of  his  countrymen,  or  to  excite  their  prejudice  against 
the  name  of  an  American,  by  a  beanng  unjustifiably 
incorrect  or  immoral.  And  this  consideration  alone,  if 
he  have  a  proper  love  for  his  country,  and  a  due  regard 
for  the  character  of  an  American,  will  be  sufficient  to 
induce  him  to  be  circumspect  in  his  actions,  and  desi- 
rous of  gaining  a  good  name  among  foreigners,  whether 
civilized  or  barbarous,  whether  christians  or  pagans. 
But  there  are  nobler  and  better  motives  to  influence  the 
conduct  of  the  seaman  when  acting  in  some  sort  af  ihO' 
representative  of  his  countrymen  in  a  distant  land,  a 
just  sense  of  moral  duty,  a  wish  to  act  correcliy, 
wherever  he  may  be  placed,  or  in  whatever  circum- 
stances, a  regard  to  his  own  character  and  happiness, 


380 


LIFE   ON  THE   OCEAN. 


H\ 


and  welfare  in  a  future  state.  But  in  order  that  seamen 
may  the  more  efiectually  exert  a  moral  influence  among 
those  with  whom  they  have  intercourse,  it  is  absolutely 
necessary  that  they  should  become  temperate  men. 
After  all  the  great  prolific  cause  of  all  their  miseries  and 
wretchedness,  as  well  as  the  peculiar  characteristics  of 
their  anomalous  character,  is  the  almost  universal  pre- 
valence among  them  of  practical  intempera  ice.  This 
vice  will  ever  keep  them  from  mingling  with  society ;  it 
destroys  confidence  and  respect,  and  is  disgusting  to  all 
good  men ;  because  the  habitual  inebriate  places  himself 
on  a  level  with  the  brute  ;  and  further,  the  sailor  when 
he  is  half  drunk  not  only  becomes  the  dupe  of  every 
designing  knave,  but  also  is  in  a  fit  condition  to  plunge 
himself  into  the  lowest  scenes  of  sen«!uality.  It  is  'he 
vice  of  iniemperance  that  destroys  the  constitution  and 
brings  on  premature  disease  and  death.  Look  around, 
how  rarely  does  it  occur  that  you  see  an  old  sailor. 
Where  are  they  ?  and  what  becomes  of  them  ?  Why 
they  either  go  to  Davy  Jones'  locker,  that  is,  they  fall 
overboard  and  are  drowned,  or  they  are  shipwrecked  or 
foundered.  But  the  greater  part,  by  the  inordinate  use 
of  rum,  prematurely  induce  disease,  and  then  poor  Jack 
is  taken  to  the  hospital  with  a  broken  down  constitu- 
tion, and  very  shortly  slips  his  wind. 

It  is  morally  impossible,  also,  that  the  word  of  God 
can  take  effect  upon  the  heart  of  that  man,  whose  senses 
are  benumbed  with  liquor ;  so  far  from  it,  that  just  in 
proportion  as  ardent  spirits  are  taken  into  the  stomach, 
just  in  the  same  ratio  will  the  divine  influence  of  the 
spirit  of  God  be  shut  out  fi:om  the  heart  of  such  a  man. 
And  1  hold  it  to  be  next  to  impossible  that  religious 
impressions  can  take  efifect ;  or  if  they  do,  they  will  only 
be  casual,  consequently  no  permanent  benefit  will  be 
the  result.  Let  me  say  then  to  seamen,  that  temperance 
is  not  only  a  virtue  in  itself,  but  it  makes  men  virtuous, 
and  paves  the  way  for  all  that  is  good  and  great ;  it 
brings  with  it  reflection  and  consideration,  which  are 
the  primary  steps  to  the  possession  of  morals  and  re- 
ligion. 


n  order  that  seamen 
ral  influence  omong 
Lirse,  it  is  absolutely 
ne  temperate  men. 
11  their  miseries  and 
ar  characteristics  of 
most  universal  pre- 
iitemperir  ice.    This 
ling  with  society ;  it 
i  is  disgusting  to  all 
sbriate  places  himself 
ler,  the  sailor  when 
1  the  dupe  of  every 

condition  to  plunge 
jnsnality.  It  is  'he 
the  constitution  and 
jath.  Look  around, 
a  see  an  old  sailor, 
les  of  them  ?  Whv 
er,  that  is,  they  fall 
y  are  shipwrecked  or 
y  the  inordinate  use 
!,  and  then  poor  Jack 
)ken  down  constitu- 
id. 

hat  the  word  of  God 
at  man,  whose  senses 

from  it,  that  just  in 
en  into  the  stomach, 
ine  influence  of  the 
heart  of  such  a  man. 
ossible  that  religious 
ley  do,  they  will  only 
nent  benefit  will  be 
men,  that  temperance 
makes  men  virtuous, 
I  good  and  great;  it 
sideration,  which  are 
n  of  morals  and  le- 


LIFB   ON  THE   OCEAN. 


381 


There  is  another  class  of  persons  who  are  deeply  in- 
terested in  the  reformation  of  seamen ;  Uiese  are  the 
merchants  and  ship-owners.  It  is  surprising,  however, 
to  behold  the  apathy  and  indifference  manifested  by 
many  of  those  gentlemen,  and  it  is  a  melancholy  fact 
that  there  are  shipowners  who  give  command  of  their 
vessels  to  profane,  overbearing,  tyrannical  men,  in  pre- 
ference to  those  of  high  moral  worth,  vainly  supposing 
that  such  persons  are  not  only  the  best  seamen,  and 
alone  competent  to  command,  but  also  that  their  in- 
terest by  such  will  be  better  served.  Long  experience 
on  the  ocean  has  convinced  me,  that  in  the  general  the 
very  reverse  is  the  truth,  for  it  requires  something  more 
than  the  mere  handling  of  a  marlinspike,  handing,  reef- 
ing, steering,  «kc.  to  constitute  a  good  seaman.  If  to 
these  qualities  a  sound  judgment  is  notconnocted,  then 
the  most  prominent  feature  is  wanting  to  make  a  com- 
plete and  thorough  seaman  ;  and  in  the  general  run,  at 
least  eight  times  out  of  ten,  an  overbearing  tyrannical 
commander  will  make  a  bad  crew  ;  and  he  who  cannot 
govern  himself  is  unfit  to  govern  others.  Besides,  the 
pnncipal  part  of  the  difficulties  and  troubles  on  ship- 
board  at  sea,  is  owing  ultimately  if  not  immediately  to 
tli«3  peculiar  character  of  the  crew ;  and  thus  are  the 
uiterest  of  voyages  not  only  greatly  injured,  but  also  it 
sometimes  happens  that  mutiny  with  its  horrid  conse- 
quences is  the  result. 

But  it  is  certain,  that  if  the  interests  of  the  merchant 
are  advanced  by  having  as  commanders  of  their  vessels 
men  of  moral  feelings  and  just  conceptions  of  responsi- 
bility, it  is  also  certain,  that  the  sailor's  character  ought 
to  correspond  with  the  officers  ;  for  what  guarantee  can 
a  merchant  have  for  his  property  at  sea  while  under  the 
care  and  management  of  a  crew,  that  neither  fear  God 
nor  regard  man,  and  consequently  have  no  proper 
notions  of  moral  obligation.  To  be  sure  it  must  Jbie 
confessed,  that  many  safe  and  expeditious  voyages  have 
been  made  with  such  crews,  but  then  this  is  no  argu- 
ment why  the  moral  condition  of  seamen  should  net  be 
33 


mmm 


382 


LIFE  ON  THE   OCEAN. 


1^ 
3T 


elevated.  In  fact  there  is  an  imperious  obligation  de- 
volving on  the  merchants  in  reference  to  seamen ;  it  is 
a  debt  of  gratitude  due  by  them  ;  the  reasons  for  which 
have  been  stated  in  the  preceding  pages.  In  what 
better  way  then,  I  ask,  can  this  claim  be  liquidated,  than 
lor  the  merchant  to  lend  his  inlluenrc  and  means  in 
elevating  the  sailor  to  that  rank  in  society,  to  which  his 
worth  ond  importance  demand. 

But  there  is  yet  a  higher  ond  nobler  motive  which 
should  induce  merchants  to  rescue  seamen  from  the 
low  and  grovelling  condition,  which  untbrtunately  too 
many  of  them  now  sustain — that  is  by  exercising  that 
universal  love  and  good  will,  which  is  imt  prompted  by 
sordid  or  mercenary  motives.  It  is  a  species  of  that  love 
which  induced  the  blessed  Redeemer  to  give  his  liiis  a 
ransom  tor  all.  Now  if  the  heart  is  actuated  by  a  prin- 
ciple like  this,  there  will  not  be  wanting  the  most 
strenuous  ctlbrts  on  the  part  of  merchants  to  snatch 
weather-beaten  sailors  as  brands  liom  the  eternal  burn- 
ing, especially  when  it  is  seen  what  vast  numbers 
are  annually  swept  off  by  shipwreck  and  other  casual- 
ties at  sea,  and  ushered  into  eternity  at  a  moment's 
warning,  without  preparation  to  appear  at  the  bar  of 
God.  It  may  be  asked,  how  is  this  to  be  effected,  and 
how  are  sailors  to  be  reached.  I  answer,  let  the  merchant 
entirely  discountenance  those  places  where  sailors  gene- 
rally take  up  their  residence  when  on  shore,  which  are 
usually  denominated  sailor-boarding-houses  ;  the  better 
appellation,  however,  would  be  grog  shops  or  haunts  of 
dissipation.  In  such  places  as  these  the  unsuspecting 
sailor  is  amply  plied  with  the  intoxicating  bowl,  which 
not  only  drowns  his  sensibilities,  and  keeps  him  upon 
a  level  with  the  brute,  but  here  also  his  hard  earnings 
are  filched,  and  then  when  no  more  can  be  drained  firom 
him  by  mock  caress  or  venal  device,  he  is  shipped  on 
board  of  some  vessel  in  a  state  of  stupefaction,  or  what 
is  worse,  with  the  delirium  tremens. 

The  keepers  of  such  places  should  be  discountenanced 
by  all  good  men ;  and  that  which  perhaps  will  more 


'-vt^mf*"" 


■   I 


AN. 

srious  obligation  de- 
ice  to  seamen ;  it  is 
le  reasons  for  which 
g  pages.  In  what 
Ti  he  liquidated,  than 
enrc  and  means  in 
society,  to  which  his 

nobler  motive  which 
10  seamen   from  the 
cli  nntbrtun'itely  too 
is  by  exercising  that 
1  is  nut  prompted  by 
a  species  of  that  love 
ler  to  give  his  lite  a 
s  actuated  by  a  prin- 
I  wanting  the  most 
merchants  to  snatch 
r»m  the  eternal  burn- 
what  vast  numbers 
ck  and  other  casual- 
rnity  at  a  moment's 
appear  at  the  bar  of 
lis  to  be  effected,  and 
iwcr,  let  the  merchant 
2S  where  sailors  gene- 

on  shore,  which  are 
ig-houses ;  the  better 
og  shops  or  haunts  of 
ese  the  unsuspecting 
xicating  bowl,  which 
and  keeps  him  upon 
so  his  hard  earnings 
e  can  be  drained  from 
ice,  he  is  shipped  on 

stupefaction,  or  what 

IS. 

Id  be  discountenanced 
;h  perhaps  will  more 


LIFE    ON  TBE   OCEAN. 


383 


effectually  bring  about  the  object  intended  is,  let  not 
the  merchants  employ  shipping-masters  who  keep  such 
houses  or  that  ship  any  sailors  from  those  places.  There 
may  be  some  dilliculty  perhaps  at  fust  in  etfecting  this, 
but  it  will  soon  vanish  away,  provided  the  ship-owners 
will  give  their  entire  countenance  and  support  to  men 
of  worth  and  standing,  who  koep  temperance  houses, 
and  seamen's  homes,  where  the  sailor  may  resort  after 
his  long  and  jMjrilous  voyage,  and  have  botli  his  tem- 
poral and  spiritual  interests  greatly  advanced ;  and  where 
nistead  of  being  robbed  of  liis  hard  earnings,  his  consti- 
tution shattered,  and  packed  off  to  sea  like  a  beast — 
instead  of  which  he  may  have  his  money  put  in  a 
Savings  Bank,  and  when  ho  is  about  to  go  to  sea  he  - 
may  have  a  chest  of  good  clothes,  and  clean  bedding, 
with  a  sound  vigorous  frame,  and  go  on  board  of  a  ship 
able  to  peril )rm  his  duty  in  a  seaman-like  manner. 

It  is  exceedingly  gratifying  to  know,  that  a  growing 
interest  is  gathering  around  the  community  in  behalf 
of  seamen;  and  well  it  may,  when  we  consider  the  vast 
number  employed  in  our  naval  and  merchant  service, 
including  also  our  inland  navigation  ;  they  are  at  pre- 
sent estimated  at  about  five  hundred  thousand  men,  a 
class  perhaps  of  more  value  to  the  real  interests  of  this 
country  than  any  other — a  class  whose  interests  certainly 
have  been  more  neglected  by  society,  than  even  the 
pauper,  who  prowls  about  the  streets.  It  is  singularly 
strange,  that  this  should  be  so,  for  the  blessed  Redeemer 
in  the  days  of  his  incarnation,  not  only  honored  the  sea 
of  Tiberias  and  Genessaret  with  his  presence,  but  actu- 
ally called  seamen  to  be  his  first  heralds  to  proclaim  the 
glad  tidings  of  salvation  to  a  lost  and  ruined  world ;  and 
he  preached  his  own  everlasting  Gospel,  dispensing  the 
bread  of  life  to  the  famishing  multitude  from  a  vessel's 
deck.  And  yet  it  is  not  more  than  thirty  years  since 
any  special  efforts  were  made  in  behalf  of  seamen  to 
better  their  condition  in  society,  and  effect  the  salvation 
of  their  souls.  The  light  first  began  to  dawn  upon  their 
moral  horizon  in  the  British  Isles,  in  ISIO;  and  very 


„iliiVftlii-'«»i»»tH>ii 


fiiilii^^iwff^iniru 


goon  its  benign  rays  wore  reflected  across  the  Atlantic 
upon  the  American  shores  ;  and  then  tor  the  first  time, 
the  voice  of  the  man  of  God  was  heard  proclaiming, 
<'Sailor  there  is  hoiw  for  thoe!'l 


VN. 

across  the  Atlnntic 

on  tor  the  first  tinte, 

heard  proclaiming, 


CHAPTER   XXXIV. 


lUOOKtTIONI      IN     KCUAHO     TO      THE     MORAL     IMFROVKMCNT     OF 

SEAMEIf. 

It  Is  a  matter  of  speculiuion  and  much  doubt  with 
many  whether  the  plan  of  refimning  sailors  and  of 
making  them  religionists,  so  that  they  may  snstain  their 
place  in  society,  is  at  all  fcasihle.  This  is  not  to  be 
wondered  at  with  landsmen,  who  have  no  other  op- 
portnnity  of  Ibrming  an  opinion  of  sailors  except  by  the 
conduct  which  is  exhibited  by  them  while  on  shore. 
This  indeed  will  be  an  erroneous  judgment,  because 
the  haser  passions  are  alone  manifested  by  reason  of  the 
many  temptations  and  baits  which  arc  thrown  out  by 
designing  men  to  allure  them  from  the  path  of  rectitude, 
which  untbrtunately  not  only  prove  too  successful  in 
the  ruin  of  thousands,  but  also  stamp  their  general  cha- 
racter with  infijmy  in  the  estimation  of  a  large  class  of 
landsmen. 

It  is  impossible  to  judge  of  the  real  character  of  a 
sailor  by  what  is  seen  of  him  on  shore ;  and  although  he 
seems  to  be  impervious  and  callous  in  regard  to  the 
great  subject  of  religion,  yet  there  is  no  doss  of  men 
that  might  so  easily  be  brought  under  its  influence  if 
properly  managed  as  seamen.  Permit  me  to  give  a  few 
of  the  more  prominent  reasons  why  there  is  such  an  ap- 
parent indifference  among  sailors  in  regard  to  morals 
and  religion. 

First  then  it  is  owing  to  the  almost  total  neglect  of  its 
observances  and  requirements  on  board  of  nearly  all 
vessels  that  navigate  the  ocean.  The  Sabbaths  are 
desecrated,  and  little  or  no  difference  is  recognized  be- 
tween it  and  other  days  of  the  week ;  oaths  and  impre- 
33* 


-'*.r-"-n'rrrrt>^:v»ff  • 


'^'    I  ii.||^i,^IJil,!iyj 


386 


LIFE   ON  THE   OCEAN. 


Sfi. 


cations  are  the  general  tenor  of  the  conversation,  which 
issue  from  the  cabins  of  many  vessels,  and  even  the 
forms  of  religipn  are  not  known  in  many  a  long  and 
perilous  voyage,  and  it  not  unfrequently  happens  that  it 
is  neither  seen  nor  exhibited  in  the  whole  course  of  a 
sailor's  life.  Can  it  then  be  a  matter  of  astonishment  to 
behold  the  indifference  and  recklessness  of  sailors,  in 
regard  to  these  matters.  Just  for  a  moment  behold  them 
on  the  ocean  excluded  from  the  restraints  of  society, 
deprived  of  all  those  instituted  means  of  grace  on  the 
Sabbath  which  are  always  within  the  reach  of  landsmen, 
besides  being  surrounded  on  all  sides  with  evil  example; 
and  especially  that  wliich  is  exhibited  by  their  superiors 
— looked  upon  in  many  instances  as  possessing  no 
souls — I  say  when  all  these  things  are  considered,  it  is 
not  surprising  that  sailors  manifest  but  little  rehsh  for 
morals  or  religion. 

It  may  be  asked  what  course  shall  we  pursue  with 
sailors  while  on  the  ocean,  in  order  to  impress  their 
minds  with  a  deep  sense  of  their  obligations  to  God,  and 
the  necessity  of  seeking  the  salvation  of  their  souls  ?  I 
answer,  if  possible  let  the  commanders  of  all  vessels,  if 
not  strictly  religious,  be  at  least  moral  and  observe  the 
forms  and  restraints  of  Christianity  on  the  Sabbath  day. 
This  observance  in  keeping  alive  a  state  of  moral  feel- 
ing will  consequently  give  a  check  and  restraint  to  those 
outbreakings  of  prolane  swearing  and  other  vices  so 
common  among  sailors.  It  may  be  objected  that  these 
observances  will  interfere  with  the  duties  of  the  ship, 
or  that  it  will  be  impossible  to  bring  many  sailors  to 
attend  to  these  forms  of  devotion  at  sea.  In  the  latter 
years  of  my  sea-life,  as  will  be  seen  in  the  preceding 
narrative,  I  never  found  any  obstacle  either  in  reference 
to  carrying  on  the  duties  of  the  ship,  nor  the  unwilling- 
ness of  sailors  to  obey  orders.  Certainly,  if  a  corres- 
pondent and  uniform  course  of  discipline  is  not  obsiarv- 
ed,  it  cannot  be  expected  that  sailors  will  either  be 
willing  to  attend  to  those  exercises  or  place  oocfideuce 
in  the  highest  profession. 


-«s 


PW< 


!AN.  . 

conversation,  which 
sssels,  and  even  the 
in  many  a  long  and 
ently  happens  that  it 
e  whole  course  of  a 
er  of  astonishment  to 
lessness  of  sailors,  in 
moment  behold  them 

restraints  of  society, 
cans  of  grace  on  the 
tie  reach  of  landsmen, 
es  with  evil  example ; 
ted  by  their  superiors 
es  as  possessing  no 
1  are  considered,  it  is 
t  but  little  relish  for 

hall  we  pursue  with 
:der  to  impress  their 
bligations  to  God,  and 
ion  of  their  souls  ?  I 
iders  of  all  vessels,  if 
aoral  and  observe  the 
■  on  the  Sabbath  day. 
a  state  of  moral  feel- 
i  and  restraint  to  those 
I  and  other  vices  so 
)e  objected  that  these 
le  duties  of  the  ship, 
bring  many  sailors  to 
at  sea.  In  the  latter 
een  in  the  preceding 
icle  either  in  reference 
lip,  nor  the  unwilling- 
Certainly,  if  a  cones- 
scipline  is  not  obsarv- 
sailors  will  either  be 
les  or  place  oocfid«uce 


LIFE   ON  THE   OCEAN. 


387 


Secrtndly,  let  every  vestal  that  floats  oter  the  ocean 
have  the  Total  Abstinence  Temperance  Flag  nailed  to 
the  mast-head.  Here  too  the  example  should  be  ex- 
hibited from  the  quarter-deck,  for  I  hesitate  not  to  affirm, 
that  the  greater  part  of  the  difficulties,  insubordination 
and  mutinies,  which  have  taken  place  among  seamen 
on  the  ocean,  have  arisen  principally  from  the  fact,  that 
the  demon  of  intemperance  had  the  exclusive  command 
of  the  ship.  Nay,  I  may  go  further  and  not  overstep 
the  bounds  of  truth,  and  say,  that  in  former  years  at 
least  many  of  the  losses,  shipwrecks,  and  consequently 
loss  of  hfe,  &.C.  which  have  occurred  at  sea,  were  caused 
by  the  practical  inebriation  of  the  cabin  officers. 

But  It  is  a  source  of  great  satisfaction  to  know,  that 
this  great  evil  is  now  almost  universally  banished  from 
the  cabins  of  nearly  every  vessel  that  floats  on  the 
ocean;  and  indeed,  it  has  latterly  been  excluded  from 
the  forecastles  of  some  of  our  gallant  ships.  In  connec- 
tion with  this,  care  should  be  taken  as  much  as  possi- 
ble for  the  comfort  of  sailors,  in  regard  to  that  part  of 
the  vessel  which  is  assigned  to  them  for  their  eating, 
sleeping,  &.c.  I  have  been  before  the  mast  myself  in 
vessels,  the  forecastles  of  which,  so  far  from  being 
sufficiently  capacious  for  a  dozen  men  to  live  in,  there 
was  not  really  room  enough,  as  a  sailor  would  say,  to 
swing  a  cat  in ;  and  besides,  what  with  the  decks 
leaking,  and  the  sea  thrown  into  it  as  the  ship  plungeid 
through  the  water,  by  reason  of  these,  we  scarcely  kept 
our  bedding  or  clothing  fit  either  to  sleep  in  or  wear ; 
and  in  those  cases  I  invariably  found  the  main-deck  the 
more  comfortable  place  of  the  two. 

It  is  certainly  astonishing,  that  while  the  owners  of 
ships  instruct  the  builders  to  make  ample  room  for  die 
cabin,  where  there  is  in  general  not  more  than  three  per- 
sons, yet  there  is  not  allowed  in  general  more  than  one 
half  the  space  of  the  cabin  to  be  devoted  to  the  comfort 
and  convenience  of  the  crew,  consisting  perhaps  of 
twelve  or  fifteen  men.  Of  course  it  is  not  my  province 
to  dictate  or  lay  down  any  specific  rules  for  the  legulA- 


•'^'■rsum^mamum.mfwsrj^m*'' 


"^ 


388 


LIFE  ON  THE   OCEAN. 


I 


tion  and  discipline  of  vessels ;  these  must  ever  vary 
according  to  circumstances.  , 

It  may  be  necessary  on  short  voyages  to  hirnt  the 
privileges  of  lime,  and  again,  when  vessels  are  hist  off 
the  stocks,  and  new,  of  course,  there  is  more  duty  to 
perform  on  board  of  such  an  one,  than  on  board  of 
others  which  have  been  for  some  time  running.     On 
long  voyages,  however,  I  have  invariably  found  it  to  be 
the  better  plan,  to  give  the  forenoon  watch  below,  and 
in  heavy  weather  to  have  watch  and  watch  ;  and  a  uni- 
form rule,  from  which  1  never  deviated,  apart  from  the 
necessary  duties  of  the  ship,  was  to  allow  them  Satur- 
day for  the  purpose  of  washing  and  mending  their 
clothes,  cleansing  the  forecastle,  «fcc.     This  was  done 
in  order  that  the  Sabbath  day  might  be  respected,  and 
that  no  excuse  might  be  made  for  want  of  time,  should 
they  be  found  violating  it.     In  this  way  I  generally 
managed  to  get  the  duties  of  the  ship  performed  cheer- 
fully and  with  promptness ;  and  with  one  single  excep- 
tion, during  the  whole  period  of  my  command,  I  never 
had  but  one  difficulty  at  sea,  and  that  was  owing  en- 
tirely to  drunkenness  on  the  part  of  the  crew. 

Once  more — 1  generally  endeavoured,  so  far  as  it  was 
in  my  power,  to  have  good  and  wholesome  provisions 
for  the  seamen,  and  to  see  after  the  manner  in  which 
it  was  cooked  and  served  up  to  them.  Their  living  at 
best  is  not  of  the  most  superior  kind,  and  it  becomes 
infinitely  worse,  when  it  is  half  cooked  in  filth,  which 
is  too  often  the  case.  Again,  I  never  put  men  on  allow- 
ance except  imperious  necessity  demanded  it,  and  this 
may  often  hapi^n  at  sea,  for  sailors  are  som.etimes  ex- 
travagant and  wasteful,  and  sometimes  from  a  long 
course  of  head  winds  and  calms,  provisions  may  get 
short;  and  not  unfrequently  on  board  of  merchant 
ships,  where  there  are  several  water  casks  lashed  on 
deck,  some  of  them  are  swept  overboard  by  the  violence 
of  the  sea,  consequently  the  quantity  is  reduced.  From 
these  and  many  other  circumstances  then,  it  becomes 
absolutely  necessary  to  go  on  allowance  of  provisions 


!r.55r5«?«i»5'.'-''^f " 


se  must  ever  vary 

oyages  to  limit  the 
1  vessels  are  just  off 
ere  is  more  duty  to 
,  than  on  board  of 
time  running.    On 
riably  found  it  to  be 
n  watch  below,  and 
I  watch ;  and  a  uni- 
iated,  apart  from  the 
;o  allow  them  Satur- 
and   mending  their 
ic.    This  was  done 
It  be  respected,  and 
vant  of  time,  should 
is  way  I  generally 
hip  performed  cheer- 
th  one  single  excep- 
y  command,  I  never 
that  was  owing  en- 
f  the  crew, 
ured,  so  far  as  it  was 
'^holesome  provisions 
the  manner  in  which 
em.    Their  living  at 
kind,  and  it  becomes 
oked  in  filth,  which 
rer  put  men  on  allow- 
iemanded  it,  and  this 
)rs  are  sometimes  ex- 
letimes  from  a  long 
provisions  may  get 
board  of  merchant 
'ater  casks  lashed  on 
board  by  the  violence 
ty  is  reduced.    From 
ices  then,  it  becomes 
Qwaoce  of  provisions 


LIFE   UN  TnE   OCEAN. 


aotf 


and  water.  Ordinarily,  however,  the  more  judicious 
plan  is  not  to  allowance  sailors,  because  it  engenders 
much  bad  feeling,  by  souring  their  tempers,  s^nd  caus- 
ing them  to  grumble,  which  generally  ends  in  difficulty 
and  trouble.  I  know  not  why  sailors  should  not  be 
treated,  (if  they  conduct  themselves  with  propriety  and 
discharge  their  duty,)  as  well  as  landsmen.  It  is  well 
known  that,  if  mechanics  are  employed  at  any  particu- 
lar business,  they  will  never  suffer  themselves  to  be 
treated  contemptuously,  much  less  will  they  admit  an 
employer  to  vent  oaths  and  curses  upon  them  with  im- 
punity. I  do  not  institute  this  comparison  with  the 
view  of  giving  sailors  Ucense  to  insubordination,  hut 
merely  to  show  that  an  employer  on  shore  never  con- 
ducts himself  towards  the  employed  in  this  way.  There 
is  a  feeling  among  landsmen,  and  in  some  degree 
among  the  officers  of  vessels,  that  sailors  have  sprung 
from  the  most  degraded  part  of  society ;  and  this  feel- 
ing seems  to  be  almost  universal,  producing  a  degree  of 
aversion  and  contempt,  arising  solely  from  unjust  pre- 
judices towards  them. 

There  is  a  great  mistake  existing  among  the  commu- 
nity in  reference  to  this  matter,  for  I  will  venture  to 
affirm,  that  sailors  as  a  class  of  men,  have  a  descent 
yiitB  as  reputable  as  the  generality  of  landsmen  ;  and 
indeed,  there  are  many  among  them  whose  parentage  is 
of  the  first  respectability,  such  as  those  who  come  nrom 
the  eastern  states,  which  may  truly  be  called  the  nursery 
of  American  seamen.  These,  at  their  advent  upon  the 
ocean,  do  not  go  to  sea  as  a  matter  of  convenience,  nei- 
ther are  they  so  bad  that  their  fiiends  can  do  nothing 
with  them  on  shore,  in  consequence  of  which  they 
must  be  sent  to  sea ;  but  as  a  matter  of  choice  they  enter 
upon  the  business  of  a  sea-life,  as  they  would  upon  any 
mechanical  pursuit,  and  follow  it  through  all  its  grada- 
tions, until  many  of  them  arrive  at  the  acme  of  their 
profession.  In  this  view  of  the  case  then,  it  is  very 
evident  that  men  must  be  thoroughbred  sailors,  before 
they  can  be  capable  to  command.    Now,  then,  if  there 


-»^ 


390 


LIFE   ON  THE   OCEAN. 


are  thousands  of  sailors  in  our  merchant  service  of  a 
character  just  mentioned,  it  follows  that  they  are  entitled 
to  the  same  Ifind  of  deference  in  their  sphere,  as  lands- 
men, particularly  if  they  discharge  their  duty  agree- 
ably to  contract.  That  they  are  bound  to  do  so,  and 
also  conform  to  any  course  of  discipline  there  can  be  no 
question ;  and  when  these  obligations  are  fulfilled,  it 
becomes  the  imperious  duty  of  the  commander  and 
officers  to  discharge  the  high  obligations  which  devolve 
upon  them  towards  seamen.  And  it  does  appear  to  me 
that  after  an  attentive  observance  of  many  years  in  re- 
gard to  the  character  of  seamen,  if  a  judicious  line  of 
conduct  were  instituted  with  them  on  shipboard,  not 
only  would  many  of  the  hardships  and  privations  conse- 
quent upon  a  sea-life,  be  ameliorated,  but  also  they 
would  have  a  more  just  conception  of  moral  responsi- 
bility ;  or  in  other  words,  their  duty  towards  God  and 
man,  would  be  sensibly  enhanced. 

It  does  not  require  the  depth  of  a  casuist  to  see,  that  if 
this  were  the  general  character  of  our  seamen,  they 
would  not  only  command  that  respect  on  shore  which 
their  condition  entitles  them,  but  as  they  must  be  the 
vehicles  by  which  the  glad  tidings  of  salvation  are  to  be 
carried  to  the  heathen,  and  the  standard  of  the  cross 
must  be  planted  in  the  dark  corners  and  habitations  of 
idolatry — I  say,  as  they  must  be  the  channels  of  com- 
munication by  which  this  glorious  event  is  to  be  con- 
summated, how  infinitely  better  must  they  be  prepared 
to  discharge  this  duty,  when  their  characters  are  mflu- 
enced  by  morals  and  religion. 

When  we  look  at  the  great  good  which  may  be  effected 
by  the  influence  and  deportment  of  seamen  in  foreign 
lands,  not  only  as  it  regards  the  establishing  of  our 
national  character  as  good  or  evil,  but  also  as  dissemi- 
nating the  seeds  of  virtue  and  religion  on  the  minds  and 
in  the  hearts  of  the  heathen,  and  among  those  where 
the  blessed  light  of  Christianity  hath  not  shed  its  benign 
rays — I  say,  \^hen  the  importance  of  these  things  are 
considered,  is  it  not  wonderful,  that  the  christian  com- 


m^sm 


"*»• 


AN. 

lerchant  service  of  a 
that  they  are  entitled 
leir  sphere,  as  lands- 
e  their  duty  agree- 
ound  to  do  so,  and 
)line  there  can  be  no 
tions  are  fulfilled,  it 
,he  commander  and 
itions  which  devolve 

it  does  appear  to  me 
)f  many  years  in  re- 

a  judicious  line  of 
m  on  shipboard,  not 
and  privations  conse- 
rated,  but  also  they 
)n  of  moral  responsi- 
ty  towards  God  and 

I  casuist  to  see,  that  if 
•f  our  seamen,  they 
spect  on  shore  which 
as  they  must  be  the 
of  salvation  are  to  be 
standard  of  the  cross 
jrs  and  habitations  of 
he  channels  of.com- 
is  event  is  to  be  con- 
nist  they  be  prepared 
•  characters  are  mflu- 

vhich  may  be  effected 
of  seamen  in  foreign 
I  establishing  of  our 
[,  but  also  as  dissenii- 
;ion  on  the  minds  and 
I  among  those  where 
th  not  shed  its  benign 
e  of  these  things  are 
lat  the  christian  com- 


LIFE   ON   THE   OCEAN. 


391 


mnnity  seems  to  be  in  a  state  of  torpor  and  supineness 
in  regard  to  the  great  subject  of  reforming  sailors;  yet 
there  does  not  appear  to  be  any  want  of  disposition  on 
the  part  of  christians  both  real  and  nominal,  to  exert 
their  influence  and  means  in  sending  forth  the  mission- 
aiy  of  the  cross  aruong  the  beniglited  sons  and  daughters 
of  superstition,  in  order  to  spread  the  blessed  effects  of 
the  Gospel  among  them.  And  yet  there  are  thousands 
navigating  our  ships  over  the  ocean,  who  are  as  deeply 
benighted  in  reference  to  the  great  subject  of  morals  and 
religion,  as  tlie  heathen ;  and  it  does  appear  but  just, 
that  while  such  great  exertions  are  made  to  send  the 
bread  of  life  into  foreign  lands,  something  certainly 
ought  to  be  done  for  those  who  arc  the  vehicles  of  com- 
munication, and  without  whom  the  effects  of  Christianity 
would  be  exclusively  confined  to  civilized  and  christian- 
ized nations. 

It  has  been  said,  and  with  great  trath,  when  the 
religion  of  the  cross  gets  firm  hold  upon  the  sailor's  heart, 
that  he  becomes  a  more  zealous  champion  for  the  truth, 
than  one  of  any  other  class  of  men.  If  tliis  be  true — and 
the  very  nature  of  his  occupation  confirms  the  assertion — 
how  much  better  calculated  is  he  then  to  advance  the 
cause  of  Christianity,  than  a  landsman  ;  and,  it  follows 
of  consequence,  that  as  the  nature  of  his  vocation  obliges 
him  to  visit  almost  every  clime,  that  has  been  and  that 
yet  will  be  discovered — when  all  this  is  taken  into  the 
account,  it  is  evident  that  seamen  are  the  best  calculated 
and  fittest  persons  for  missionaries.  It  is  true,  that  the 
community  is  now  being  aroused  to  a  sense  of  their 
obligations  to  sailors,  and  yet  with  the  exception  of  a 
small  jiiinority,  the  majority  of  the  people  deal  too  much 
in  generals,  belieVing  that  special  efforts  are  not  abso- 
lutely necessary  for  their  reformation. 

As  I  have  expatiated  largely  in  the  preceding  pages  in 
reference  to  this  subject,  I  would  merely  say  fiurthei. 
that  the  good  which  may  be  effected  in  this  way  will  be 
exceedingly  limited.    If  h  universal  benefit  is  to  be  con- 
ferred on  sailors,  the  effort  must  be  exclusively  made 


h 

I 
1 


.  r')t>aAi^-:^'^^iiii»  h 


392 


LIFE   ON  THE   OCEAN. 


for  their  peculiar,  and  1  may  sa.y,  exclusive  character ; 
and  experience  has  shown  that  since  specific  efforts  have 
been  made  to  bring  sailors  within  the  range  of  the  Gos- 
pel, it  has  given  a  moral  influence  on  the  bearing  of 
many ;  and  when  we  contrast  the  material  alteration  for 
the  better  now  among  sailors,  to  what  it  was  twenty 
years  ago,  we  are  compelled  to  acknowledge,  that  it  is 
owing  principally  to  the  blessed  influence  of  Christianity 
upon  their  hearts.  It  is  therefore  a  source  of  gratitude 
to  Ahnighty  God,  that  notwithstanding  the  very  limited 
efforts  that  have  yet  been  made  to  ameliorate  the  condi- 
tion of  sailors,  that  he  has  crowned  those  feeble  efforts 
with  abundant  success,  and  it  should  be  a  stimulus  to 
all  classes  of  men,  (but  especially  to  those  who  are  more 
deeply  concerned)  to  redouble  their  exertions  in  behalf 
of  the  condition  of  poor  sailors.  Let  these  exertions 
widen  and  extend,  and  as  the  Almighty  has  chosen  men 
as  instruments  to  promulge  his  blessed  truth  and  be  the 
means  in  his  hands,  of  the  salvation  of  his  fellows^ 
and  especially  if  we  are  firm  believers  in  that  truth,  let 
us  not  slacken  our  energies  until  the  prophecy  is  fulfilled 
"when  the  abundance  of  the  sea  shall  be  converted  to 
God."  For  the  fulfilment  of  this  glorious  epoch  let  all 
christians  unite,  and  the  time  is  not  very  far  distant 
when  the  high  praises  of  God  shall  universally  ascend  up 
ftom  old  ocean,  and  when  the  tribes  of  Zebulon  shall  be 
joined  to  the  tribes  of  Judah,  and  the  mountain  wave  be 
united  to  the  mountain  of  the  land,  and  when  all  shall 
join  in  loud  hallelujahs,  the  "Lord  God  omnipotent 
reigneth." 


;>i7tHM.'>''-  t^f-.-^t^P^'" 


^,  ..  .iii,ny— nmwppp- 


Wijl  ■H'J»,M 


AN. 

exclusive  character; 
e  specific  efforts  have 
he  range  of  the  Gos- 
e  on  the  bearing  of 
naterial  alteration  for 
what  it  was  twenty 
knowledge,  that  it  is 
iuence  of  Christianity 
1  source  of  gratitude 
ling  the  very  limited 
uueliorate  the  condi- 
d  those  feeble  efforts 
uld  be  a  stimulus  to 
those  who  are  more 
:  exertions  in  behalf 
Let  these  exertions 
ghty  has  chosen  meii 
ised  truth  and  be  the 
ition  of  his  fellows  ^ 
irers  in  that  truth,  let 
3  prophecy  is  fulfilled 
ihall  be  converted  to 
glorious  epoch  let  all 
not  very  far  distant 
miversally  ascend  up 
s  of  Zebulon  shall  be 
le  mountain  wave  be 
I,  and  when  all  shall 
)rd  God  omnipotent 


* 


CHAPTER  XXXV. 

CONCLUSION. 

Among  the  most  pleasing  reflections  of  my  life,  is  the 
recollection  that  the  Bethel  flag  was  first  hoisted  in  the 
port  of  Baltimore,  on  board  of  the  ship  which  I  com- 
manded. It  was,  to  be  sure,  a  small  beginning,  for 
although  it  was  a  novel  sight  to  behold  the  Bethel 
flag  floating  at  the  mast-head  of  a  ship,  as  a  signal  to 
repair  on  board  for  the  purpose  of  religious  worship;  yet 
when  the  hour  arrived,  how  many  do  you  suppose 
comixtsed  the  whole  congregation?  I  pause,  not  because 
the  number  is  beyond  calculation,  but  because  a  feeling 
of  sorrow  now  pervades  my  mind  at  the  recollection 
and  keen  disappointment  that  was  then  exhibited  by 
every  person  present ;  and  the  reader  will  not  think  it 
strange  when  I  tell  him  that  from  this  famous  monu- 
mental city,  a  city  so  celebrated  for  its  numerous 
churches  and  its  widely  extended  religious  influence — 
I  say,  the  reader  will  not  think  strange  at  the  keen- 
ness of  my  disappointment,  when  I  tell  him  the  whole 
congregation  on  board  consisted  of  seven  souls.  This 
was  indeed  not  very  flattering,  for  as  yet  the  scheme 
was  treated  by  many  as  entirely  futile,  but  like  all 
other  beginnings  which  are  generally  small  at  the  com- 
mencement, ours  had  to  struggle  a^mst  prejudice ;  and 
although  this  had  to  contend  with  many  discourage- 
ments firoin  various  quarters,  yet  through  the  indefati- 
gable exertions  of  a  few  benevolent  spirits,  the  work  pro- 
gressed slowly  but  efficiently. 

The  first  year  the  word  of  God  was  preached  on 
board  oTsuch  vessels  as  could  be  obtained  for  that  pur- 
34 


.« 


.i.i^«...;^»» 


.1  ■ 

It 


if:- 


LIFE   ON  THE    OCEAN. 


pose,  but  there  were  very  few  at  that  period  who  were 
willing  to  let  the  sailor's  missionary  go  on  board  and 
dispense  the  Word  of  Life ;  very  few,  indeed,  would  con- 
sent to  let  the  Bethel  flag  be  hoisted  on  board  of  their 
respective  vessels.    This  inconvenience  was  so  great, 
that  it  was  '"jund  absolutely  necessary  to  relinquish  the 
preaching  of  the  Word  on  board  of  vessels ;  and  the 
second  year  a  sail-loft  was  obtained  for  that  purpose. 
Here  a  growing  interest  for  the  success  of  the  cause  was 
abundantly  manifested,  and  numbers  accumulated  Sab- 
bath after  Sabbath,  (especially  those  who  were  connect- 
ed with  seamen  and  navigation)  to  hear  the  Word 
preached,  until  it  was  found  too  contracted  for  the  multi- 
tude which  resorted  thither.     Then  it  was,  that  benevo- 
lent and  philanthropic  men  conceived  the  noble  project 
of  erecting  a  church  especially  dedicated  to  the  moral 
and  religious  benefit  ot  seamen.     In  1925,  a  location 
was  obtained,  and  the  building  erected  and  dedicated  as 
a  Mariner's  Church,  to  be  conducted  on  the  missionary 
plan,  the  operations  and  benefits  of  which  were  exclu- 
sively designed  for  seamen.  For  some  years  it  had  to  con- 
tend with  a  variety  of  opjwsition,  so  much  so  that  many 
were  discouraged,  especiaUy ,  as  there  did  not  appear  to  be 
much  good  effected  in  the  morals  of  seamen ;   this,  how- 
ever, was  principally  owing  to  the  counteracting  influ- 
ence of  intemperance,  so  prevalent  among  seamen,  and 
the  united  efforts  of  the  keepers  of  sailor-boarding- 
houses,  to  deter  poor  Jack  from  attending  divine  wor- 
ship ;  or  if  he  did,  they  usually  plied  him  so  freely  with 
the  intoxicating  draught,  that  if  any  good  impressions 
had  been  made  they  were  soon  driven  from  his  mind. 
Another  serious  discouragement  was,  that  the  various 
denominations  of  christians  rarely  lent  their  counte- 
nance or  presence  to  aid  the  institution.    In  this  way, 
then,  for  a  long  time  the  Bethel  ship  had  to  contend 
with  head  winds,  and  for  want  of  a  crew  or  nucleus 
around  which  the  captain  or  missionary  might  rally — I 
say  for  the  want  of  a  crew  to  work  the  ship,  she  well 
nigh  had  stranded.    In  this  condition  she  hove  out  a 


wmmmsnf^ 


.m 


IN. 

at  period  who  were 
ry  go  on  board  and 
,  indeed,  would  cun- 
d  on  board  of  their 
ience  was  so  great, 
,ry  to  relinquish  the 
)t  vessels  ;  and  the 
id  for  that  purpose. 
ess  of  the  cause  was 
rs  accumulated  Sab- 
I  who  were  connect- 
to  hear  the  Word 
Iracted  for  the  multi- 
it  was,  that  benevo- 
ed  the  noble  project 
licated  to  the  moral 
In  1925,  a  location 
ted  and  dedicated  as 
jd  on  the  missionary 
'  which  were  exclu- 
le  years  it  had  to  con- 
I  much  so  that  many 
e  did  not  appear  to  be 
seamen;  this, how- 
counteracting  influ- 
among  seamen,  and 
1  of  sailor-boarding- 
ttending  divine  wor- 
ld him  so  freely  with 
iny  good  impressions 
riven  from  his  mind. 
was,  that  the  various 
r  lent  their  counte- 
tution.    In  this  way, 
ship  had  to  contend 
)f  a  crew  or  nucleus 
onary  might  rally — I 
rk  the  ship,  she  well 
tion  she  hove  out  a 


LIFE   ON  THE   OCEAN. 


395 


signal,  and  the  temperance  ship  being  well  marned, 
bore  down  to  her  relief.  Some  of  the  temperance  crew 
were  put  on  board  the  Bethel  ship  and  worked  her  oflf 
into  blue  water,  and  plenty  of  sea-room,  since  which 
time  she  has  been  kept  under  way,  and  the  crew, 
although  slowly,  has  steadily  increased  in  number;  and 
the  influence  vhich  this  Bethel  ship  has  exerted  and 
continues  still  to  exert  is  incalculable,  and  will  tell  upon 
the  destiny  of  many  a  poor  weather-beaten  tar,  as  well 
as  upon  those  connected  with  seamnn.  In  this  port, 
already  there  are  many  auxiliaries  to  this  institution^ 
which  tend  greatly  to  ameliorate  the  condition  of  pea- 
men,  as  y/ell  as  to  extend  the  hand  of  charity  to  their 
distressed  widows  aad  orphans. 

Then  is  a  seaman's  homo  conducted'  on  temperance 
principles,  in  which  the  sons  of  the  ocean  may  be 
secure  from  designing  men,  and  find  a  comfortable 
residence  while  on  shore,  as  well  as  have  access  to  a 
library,  which  is  attached  to  this  institution  for  their 
especial  benefit. 

There  is  likewise  a  society  established  for  the  relief  of 
seamen's  widows  and  orphans,  through  the  instrumen- 
tality of  which,  and  the  untiring  exertions  of  the  mis- 
sionary, not  only  has  many  a  poor  sailor's  widow  and 
orphan  been  relieved  from  the  griping  hand  of  poverty, 
but  also  niany,  very  many  have  been  rescued  from  im- 
moral wretchedness,  and  brought  within  the  range  of 
religious  teaching,  which  has  exerted  a  most  salutary 
influence  over  the  destinies  of  this  class.  But  although 
much  has  been  done,  yet  much  remains  to  be  done, 
and  so  long  as  the  various  denominations  of  christi&ns 
keep  aloof,  this  work  must  be  retarded  ;  but  when  al!". 
shall  see  eye  to  eye  and  unite  hand  in  hand  to  pui*i 
forward  this  noble  enterprise,  then  we  shall  quickly  see 
the  sailor  elevated  to  that  situation  in  society  to  which  hia 
worth  entitles  him. 


/ 


'  A.--f^: 


TT-tJ.- 


\ 


'M 


I 


THE   END. 


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